Humber’s hope

THE energy crisis has been the Humber’s opportunity. As Britain becomes more dependent on imported oil and gas, and as new restrictions on greenhouse-gas emissions threaten coal-fired generation, so eyes have gradually turned eastward and seen a land of promise.

The New Energy Economy conference, held in Hull yesterday, is testament to the region’s rich potential in pioneering new forms of energy generation. Already the area is the UK’s centre for biofuel production while also earmarked as a future European centre of offshore wind energy.

Add to this the hope of carbon capture and storage under the North Sea and it is clear that the Humber area promises to become pivotal to the UK’s future energy needs. The challenge now, however, is for public and private sectors to demonstrate that they can work together to turn the dream into reality.