Region’s opportunity to become powerhouse for green energy

David Richards, managing director of a huge biofuel plant being built near Hull, yesterday told business leaders at an annual lunch in York they can benefit from significant supply chain opportunities presented by Yorkshire’s developing renewable energy sector.

Dr Richards runs Vivergo bio-ethanol plant, which begins production later this year. Once complete the site will be the fifth-largest ethanol producer in Europe.

“The location of Yorkshire makes it a key place for the renewable,” said Dr Richards at the annual lunch of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, held at York Racecourse.

“It has good transport links, great storage facilities, including the North Sea, and a great financial and professional service industry.

“This region has phenomenal benefits, but it still needs more. We need better engineering, better science and better farming and agriculture. And we need to make sure that we attract the right people.

“Land use needs to be thought of and Vivergo will play a part in helping the agriculture and farming industry to develop better economics and processes.”

He also stressed the need for more research and innovation via a “strategic alignment between industry and the academics”.

Chamber president Shaun Watts said: “Renewable energy creates and supports a whole industry and supply chain from which the whole of the economy will benefit. The Vivergo Fuels plant is an exciting development within the renewable energy sector.

“Businesses across the region, including rural areas, will benefit from its development in terms of primary and secondary supply chain opportunities.”