The world-class science park being developed by the University of Chester at Ince has had a near-£20m boost.

It has been successful in a bid for almost £7m from the Government to support the development of an ‘energy demonstrator’ at its Thornton Science Park, formerly Shell Technology Centre.

Other partners and stakeholders have committed to investing a further £11m into the project which will see the development of cost effective, environmentally responsible sources of energy.

The development is part of a package of proposals put forward by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith MP visited the park to announce the LEP’s historic ‘Growth Deal’ with the Government which will see almost £143m invested in Cheshire and Warrington.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith and University of Chester pro vice chancellor Adrian Lee with Ellesmere Port and Neston Labour MP Andrew Miller

Drawing on the capital equipment, facilities and experience of Thornton Science Park and the academic expertise of the university’s faculty of science and engineering which is based there, the demonstrator will enable energy companies to test new power saving and distribution technologies enabling the development of low cost, green sources of energy.

It will also explore energy consumption patterns over the next 30 years.

University vice chancellor Prof Tim Wheeler said: “The university is delighted to have received support from Government for this important initiative that seeks to contribute to resolving one of the big issues that faces contemporary society about energy security and sustainability.”

Prof Nick Avis, executive dean of the faculty of science and engineering, said: “The award of this scheme is an important milestone in developing Thornton Science Park as a centre of excellence in energy systems, where academics and industry can work together to address skills gaps and investigate novel solutions or process optimisation in the energy sector.”

Charlie Woodcock, executive director of the university’s strategic projects office added: “The support of our partners and stakeholders from both the public and the private sectors has been crucial to the university’s development of Thornton Science Park.

“As we move forward to deliver the next phase of our vision for the site, the funding which has been announced will enable us to respond more effectively to the requirements of the energy sector.”

The university says the development of Thornton Science Park as a centre of excellence for energy systems has been ‘significantly enhanced’ by the announcement, which highlights the sub region’s and central Government’s recognition of the park as a national asset.

Its share of the funding forms part of the Government and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP’s commitment to support the expansion of science and innovation.

The university describes the new facility as ‘a world-class seat of excellence’ housing the faculty of science and engineering which includes the school of computer science and mathematics.

It is also home to the newly-developed ‘High Growth Centre’ which is co-funded by the University of Chester and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The centre offers small and medium enterprises and new start-up businesses valuable advice and support.

It is designed specifically for companies operating in the advanced manufacturing, automotive, engineering and environmental sectors.