Atkins welcomes ambitious Northern Energy Taskforce report setting out goals for developing a Northern Energy Strategy
2 min read
The Northern Energy Taskforce has set out a range of recommendations and ideas for developing an ambitious energy strategy for the Northern Powerhouse in the new report, The Northern Energy Strategy.
The Northern Energy Strategy, launched by the IPPR North and the Northern Energy Taskforce, outlines the potential of the North of England to be a leader in low carbon energy for the UK; a global hub for research and innovation from academia to entrepreneurial start-ups; a pioneer of new and innovative energy solutions from smart grid technology, through to large scale low carbon heating and transport systems – such as the Leeds city hydrogen pilot – and integration and demand management; and a skills hub for jobs ranging from research and development to engineering and skills for the digital economy. Read the report in full at the IPPR North website.
Julianne Antrobus, strategy and business development director in Atkins’ Energy business, said “It’s clear that there is massive potential for the North to take a lead in determining the direction of energy policy and energy infrastructure in the UK. The work that is currently happening, and could happen in the North in the future, is both inspiring and incredibly innovative. We’re very pleased to have been part of this work to develop a set of ambitious, forward-thinking ideas for the Northern Powerhouse.”
Atkins is a member of the Northern Energy Taskforce, chaired by Sir John Harman, and was part of the extensive, year-long study exploring the economic potential of the North and the challenges it faces. The study sets out a clean growth strategy for the North of England and examines the efforts needed to decarbonise whilst ensuring economic growth by 2050, exploiting technology and how the North can make the most of its energy assets.
The Northern Energy Strategy is closely aligned with the pillars of the government’s Industrial Strategy White Paper, which recognises the importance of innovation and economic growth through new technology, as well as the need to invest in infrastructure, affordable energy and clean growth, and the need to build on local strengths to deliver benefits to all regions of the UK, amongst other priorities.
With nine offices across the North of England employing over 1,200 people and working on projects as diverse as nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield, Midland Mainline Electrification and the M62 Smart Motorway, Atkins is at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse. Find out more from our Northern Powerhouse Hub.
