PRESS RELEASE - Wednesday 22 August 2007

North East energy bid charges on

The Consortium bidding to host the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) in NorthEast England, has been named as one of three short-listed finalists to host the headquarters of this national centre, which will be responsible for the allocation of approximately £1bn of private and public research funds into renewable and low carbon energy.

North East Consortium: one of three short listed finalists

The North East Consortium will now face competition from Scotland and the Midlands, at a final selection presentation in London on September 6th. Made up of representatives from industry sponsors and Government, the selection panel will then make their recommendation to the ETI board, with the host location to be formally announced in early October.

Regional Support for the ETI Bid

Rt. Hon Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East, underlined his support for the North East's bid at an event to mark the unveiling of the Consortium's plans at Newcastle University's Devonshire Building, the proposed host for the hub. The Minister said: "Of all the projects and programmes underway in our region, the ETI bid is the issue which I think should have top priority, and something which I will advocate most to the government of our country."

The ETI will be set-up almost immediately and if the North East is successful, will establish the region as the energy innovation capital of the UK . More than £6bn planned commercial investment in novel energy projects in the region has already been announced, and the proposal developed in conjunction with One NorthEast and the Science and Industry Council, demonstrates the region's capability across the energy technology spectrum.

Margaret Fay, One NorthEast Chairman, said: "I am delighted that the North East England Consortium's bid to host the ETI has made it through to the final stage of short-listing.

"Consortium members have worked hard to ensure the bid is of the highest quality.

"Together with the expertise of the North East's fast-growing new and renewable energy sector, the region is now in a strong position to be named as the ETI host region when the Government makes its final selection in October."

Professor Chris Brink, Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University, said:

"This is great news for the North East and brings us one step closer to realising our ambition to be the energy capital of the UK.

"We have a huge array of expertise and facilities on our doorstep and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners as I believe that the North East consortium is in a unique position to take this bid forward."

Pledge your Support for the ETI in the North East

Ahead of their presentation in London, the North East Consortium continues to urge supporters to add statements of their support online at http://eti.ncl.ac.uk/bidsupport/. Communicating this enthusiasm and warm welcome for the ETI, will be a key influencer in the selection process.

Wyn Jones, managing director of Alcan Aluminium UK Limited, is one such advocate of the North East bid. Wyn explains:

"Secure and sustainable energy supplies are vital to Alcan's operations in North East England. As we look to build on our track record for significant investment in innovative energy solutions, it will become increasingly important for us to demonstrate that our region remains at the forefront of the energy sector. An ETI with its hub in the North East will provide a welcome competitive edge and that is why Alcan wholeheartedly supports this region's bid."

As one of the three short-listed regions hand picked to host the ETI, the energy sector in North East England can look forward to a prosperous future as a key centre for renewable and low carbon energy research and development.

For further information on the North East's proposal please call the ETI team on 0191 246 4951. You can also download the full press release 'North East energy bid charges on' and notes for editors (word document) .