Why thousands of jobs could be created by a green revolution on the Humber

Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, believes an investment in sustainable energy in the Humber is critical to helping the North of England’s economy recover from the pandemic.

Mr Murison made the comments on the day a major business event is launched to highlight how investment in renewable energy can make the region more prosperous.

The Waterline Summit 2020 brings together businesses, community groups, colleges and schools in an attempt to place the region at the forefront of the transition to a “zero-carbon” economy.

Mr Murison added: “Investing in sustainable energies in the Humber is critical to spearheading a green recovery here in the North.

“As well as bringing us closer to net zero, we can reskill and retrain thousands of workers into more secure, better-paid, skilled jobs in these sectors.

“The successful Siemens factory in Hull serves as a prime example of how the North can play a leading role in a green energy revolution for years to come.

“As well as building dramatically more offshore wind turbines, we need to recognise the importance of wider decarbonisation developments such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.”

Chaired by former Chancellor George Osborne, the business-led Northern Powerhouse Partnership encourages private and public sector leaders and organisations to work together to deliver investment across the North.

Mr Murison said the Humber already had a strong basis to establish itself as a world leader in the growing green economy.

He added: “In June, Drax revealed its plans to build a world-leading carbon capture and storage pipeline through the Humber – a landmark moment in the UK’s path to decarbonisation and tackling climate change. Projects such as these put the North on the map.”

Held in partnership with the University of Hull and Yorkshire Water, The Waterline Summit will build on the growing momentum across the estuary to embrace pioneering technologies, attract investment and create jobs in a green economy.

It will focus on the five “grand challenges” the world faces in tackling climate change – electricity and energy, agriculture, manufacturing and industry, transport, and buildings and people.

The speakers at the event will include Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England; David Shukman, Science Editor of BBC News; Mark England, Team GB’s Director of Sport Services and Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, which is now rescheduled to 2021 and award-winning business journalist and presenter Nadine Dereza.

There will also be a speech from Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth. Schools, colleges and communities will have the opportunity to learn about careers in the renewable sector.

The summit is open to everyone and free to take part in.

To register for any part of the summit and see full event details, go to https://thewaterlinesummit2020.vfairs.com

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James Mitchinson