The Northern Energy Taskforce is seeking views on how to develop the low carbon energy sector in the north of England.

 

The energy sector in the north generates £3.644 billion in GVA and supports around 28,000 jobs, with a further 136,000 in low carbon goods and services. The region is home to 27% of the UK’s total installed electricity capacity and 48% of all renewable generation in England occurs in the north. The region is also home to many energy-intensive industries, for whom high energy costs potentially act as a drag on competitiveness, the consequences of which have huge ramifications for local labour markets and populations.

The Northern Energy Taskforce has been established to oversee an ambitious programme of work over the next 18 months that will develop an energy strategy for the region. The taskforce is chaired by Sir John Harman, with support from a number of high-profile figures with expertise across infrastructure, engineering, finance, academia and local government. It is supported by IPPR staff in a research and secretariat capacity.

The call for evidence asks four questions:

1. What are the existing strengths and weaknesses in the northern energy system?
2. Where are the areas of potential in the North’s energy system?
3. What are the opportunities for the wider economy – particularly key northern industrial sectors – that arise from the need to decarbonise, and what are the key challenges that are likely to arise? What role can an industrial strategy play in supporting northern industry to meet those challenges?
4. Where are the areas of potential for joint working across the northern regions to develop the energy sector, in respect to – for example – training and skills, research and education, infrastructure and finance

More detail on these questions can be found in the full call. Responses (up to maximum of 2000 words) should be sent to northernenergytaskforce@ippr.org by early January

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