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MP Vince Cable visits the North East

Vince Cable was in Blyth this morning to view a new renewable energy device which is set to save the energy industry £600 million and cut carbon emissions by 37 million tonnes by 2020.

Dr Cable inspected the Superconducting Fault Limiter at Applied Superconductors Limited, which will reduce energy losses and will improve the security and quality of supply. The new product is also set to double the number of jobs at the site.

During the visit Dr Cable spoke of the economic growth, much of which will be stimulated through the regions manufacturing industry. He said: “The North East is a manufacturing heavy region of the UK, and its share of the economy is higher in this region than in any other.

“In the past this has been seen as a disadvantage, but it is really an advantages as we will see the UK recovery coming through manufacturing. It also has geographical advantages, being just of the North Sea, so will have access to future offshore wind farms.”

The new technologies produced at Applied Conductors are one of a number that will contribute to producing more environmentally friendly sources of energy.

Dr Malcolm Kennedy, chairman of ASL said: “ You just have to look around the North East to see rapid growth of renewable energy sources and because of Government targets to reduce carbon emissions this will increase.

“In this region and in particular the National Renewable Energy Centre Narec, has been at the forefront of this new technology, which is why we set up our base here.

The move into a greener economy will now present many opportunities for manufacturers in the North East.

Dr Cable added: “We also need to be alert to the fact that in the future we will be operating in a low carbon environment and regions which get ahead of the curve like the North East have a lot of potential.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .