Energy Innovation signs agreement to work in partnership with North West organisations to increase energy innovation activity

Dec 31 2009 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

FIVE organisations in the region have signed an agreement to work in partnership to increase energy innovation activity.

The Energy Innovation Centre, along with representatives from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Envirolink Northwest, Business Link Northwest and the Joule Centre, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

As the five lead organisations for energy innovation activity within the region, the agreement will ensure closer working ties, set out a clear commitment to collaborate on energy innovation development and guarantee clear leadership to enhance the growth of the sector.

The MoU will be supported by a Framework Paper – a detailed document that outlines how each organisation works, the types of business support it offers and sectors/industries in which it operates.

Employing more than 50,000 people and with a turnover of £6.5 billion, the region’s energy and environmental technologies sector makes a vital contribution to the economy.

With 3,000 companies within the supply chain, the North West has world-class skills in a range of key energy technologies.

Mark Atherton, director of environment & energy at NWDA, said: “On behalf of the NWDA, I am delighted to put my name to this agreement, which reinforces how the agency will work with partners on energy innovation.

“As one of the region’s key business sectors, the energy and environmental technologies industry needs to remain innovative to remain competitive.

“As the lead regional development agency for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the NWDA is able to show strong leadership on this agenda, ensuring the region is at the forefront of future energy activity, leading innovation and further increasing economic growth.”

Nick Storer, chief executive at Envirolink Northwest, added: “Envirolink Northwest is delighted to formalise our close working relationship with our energy innovation partners in the region.

“Success in innovation is vital to the future prosperity of the North West’s energy sector. It will enable the sector not only to contribute to building secure and sustainable energy supply, distribution and use in the region, but also to capitalise on the growing global market for energy technologies and services.”