By Katie Privett, Regional Insights Manager at Northern Powergrid.
The North of England is at a pivotal point in its energy journey. As the UK moves towards a net zero future by 2050, the region's rich industrial heritage and rapidly growing clean energy sector put it in a unique position to drive change. But reaching this goal will require more than just ambition, it will demand coordinated action, strategic investment and collaboration across all sectors, communities, and levels of government.
At Northern Powergrid, we’re committed to playing our part. We’ve been working closely with our stakeholders to support their net zero goals, with our Regional Insights Team leading the charge.
In the past year alone, we’ve introduced roundtables with emergency services to support ‘blue light’ organisations to advance their decarbonisation strategies. We’ve developed comprehensive guidance on the installation of EV charging infrastructure. Our team has also engaged with more than 30 local planning authorities to gather intelligence on major housing developments, ensuring we consider future demand in our forecasts and network plans.
This blog explores why cooperation will be key to shaping the North's energy future and how, by working together, we can unlock the region's full potential.
The North: A key player in the UK's energy transition
The North has long been an energy powerhouse for the UK, from its industrial past to its emerging role as a centre for renewable energy and innovation. With offshore major wind resources, nuclear facilities and an emerging hydrogen industry, the region has the potential to lead the way in the green revolution. Realising this potential however will necessitate coordinated action from government bodies, local authorities, businesses, researchers and our local communities.
Why collaboration is key
Leveraging local expertise
One of the North’s biggest assets (aside from its people!) is its unique blend of industrial heritage and green technologies. To ensure the region’s energy transition is both effective and inclusive, we need to engage with local authorities and development agencies from the outset. Doing this will ensure we can develop regional energy strategies that meet our decarbonisation goals and reflect the unique infrastructure needs of the North.
Planning for a just transition
A ‘just transition’ will enable everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to benefit from the adoption of low carbon technologies like solar and heat pumps. At Northern Powergrid we're drive the transition by helping customers make the switch to low carbon technologies and by working with communities to align our activities with their economic and social needs. We’re committed to ensuring that no one is left behind as we transition to a greener future.
Strategic investment
Connecting large-scale energy assets like solar and wind farms often requires significant investment, collaborative planning can help better coordinate these investments, aligning them with regional growth strategies. This joined-up approach ensures that the North’s clean energy transition supports both decarbonisation and our region’s broader economic development.
Accelerating innovation through partnerships
Innovation will be key to accelerating the North's energy future and partnerships between industry, research institutions, industry and government are essential. By working together, we can cultivate a thriving green economy and position the North as a leader in renewable power and green technology.
The way forward: Collaboration as the cornerstone of success
While the region has the potential to lead the way to a net zero future, achieving this will require collaboration at all levels. A successful transition demands a shared vision that brings together stakeholders with different priorities and plans.
By working together and embracing the power of partnerships, the North can capitalise on its strengths and unlock its full potential as a pioneer of cleaner, greener energy.
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