‘North East can be at heart of UK’s green industrial revolution’

Thousands of new energy sector jobs will help put the region at the centre of the UK’s green industrial revolution, a regeneration organisation official has said.

Andrew Clark, North East Local Enterprise Partnership energy programme lead, says “sustainable job creation will further establish the region as one of major strategic importance to the UK.”

His call coincided with a visit by Councillor Malcolm Brain, Gateshead Council’s portfolio lead on economy, to energy procurement consultancy Northern Gas and Power.

The business is moving into its new Gateshead-based Riga headquarters and recently revealed plans to recruit 100 workers over the coming months.

A £150,000 grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Energy for Growth Fund has supported its Riga project.

Andrew said: “The importance of the energy sector to economic growth in this region cannot be overstated.

“Job expansion is vitally important and this growth, within a sector that we show real leadership in across the region, is hugely encouraging.

“We have a wealth of expertise with the energy sector here, from offshore energy, electric vehicles and batteries, and low carbon heat.

 

Councillor Malcolm Brain, left, with Andrew Laird, UK sales director at Northern Gas and Power

 

“Sustainable job creation in this sector will further establish the region as one of major strategic importance to the UK.

“These new jobs are great news for the region and for the energy sector as a whole.”

The Riga base marks the next chapter in the growth of Northern Gas and Power, which was founded by Fokhrul Islam.

Councillor Brain visited the facilities and met the company’s senior team.

He said: “To see first-hand the growth Northern Gas and Power has experienced since it moved into Gateshead six years ago is staggering.

“From just a handful of employees in 2015 to over 750 today, it is one of the fastest-growing businesses in Britain.

“Investment in the Riga building on Baltic Quarter is yet further demonstration of its commitment to the borough.

“We look forward to working closely with the company over the coming years as it continues to grow.”