Energy, whose intention is to develop a sustainable community-based energy utility.
He says the aim is to start the licensing process and begin the work to obtain a development consent order for Hillhouse towards the end of this year.
And he adds: “We are going to stimulate jobs and create links with the local community. It is a major undertaking and I’m really excited about what we can do for apprenticeships, technicians and business in the area. It is going to be an absolute catalyst.”
Steve says the creation of a charitable foundation with shares in the company will deliver money for social and educational projects in the area.
He believes Lancashire is well-placed to benefit from the UK’s sustainable energy drive, with nuclear part of that mix.
Heysham power station
business into education. There is also work to be done in the supply chain. Steve says. “If we start a project like this, the last thing that we want is to bring 4,000 new jobs into the area and see them all go out of the area.
“The whole point is to get a ‘sticky pound’ in If we start a project like this, the last thing that
we want is to bring 4,000 new jobs into the area and see them all go out of the area
He says: “We have such a science and engineering heritage in the area, some great cornerstone industries in nuclear, in wind and solar and in traditional engi-neering. We’ve got a great foothold.”
However, he adds that for the county to be a real leader in the sector it needs to “really invest in training” and link what is needed from
the economy, to spend a pound and make sure most of it stays in the area.
“To give an example, when we start on site, providing us with soap will be quite a business, with 4,000 people washing their hands four or five times a day.
“It’s about the bacon butties and the laundry,
that’s what an economy means and it’s not just this top-down trickle approach.”
Energy giant EDF operates two nuclear power stations in Lancashire. In December it announced that the lifespans of Heysham One and Heysham Two were being extended in a move to boost the UK’s clean power targets.
It said the decision would help boost the country’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported gas, whilst also securing jobs and skills in the sector.
Heysham One, which began generating in 1983, will now produce power until March 2027, a one-year extension. Heysham Two, which opened in 1988, has been given a two- year extension until March 2030.
The Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor stations had previously been expected to close in 2026 and 2028. More than 1,000 people work at the Heysham site.
Continued on Page 54
PRESENT:
Ged Henderson, Lancashire Business View (chair) Chris Bingham, Greenarc Ged Ennis, Low Carbon Energy Co David Heap, Vital Heating Solutions Katherine Higgins, Blackpool and The Fylde College Steve Marshall, EDF Energy Steve Wood, Fylde Coast Energy
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
53
ENERGY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94
