The company, which is responsible for operating the electricity network across the north west, has identified 11 projects for immediate action that will help the region’s economy recover and hit net zero carbon targets.

Having identified a long-list of projects, it is now calling on those who live and work in the region to help it prioritise the schemes and suggest any others for consideration.

The public consultation is part of a national exercise coordinated with energy regulator Ofgem, to ensure that communities across the country are involved in deciding where to focus immediate investment to kick-start the green recovery. The investment will also support the government’s 10-point plan to make the UK net zero carbon by 2050.

The projects identified will all support the transition to lower carbon technologies across the region. For example, Electricity North West has proposed creating a £1 million fund to support proposed electric vehicle charging hubs along major A-roads across the region.

It is also planning to reinforce the network in North Carlisle, Cumbria, Forton in Lancashire, and Heywood, near Oldham, to pave the way for more electric vehicle charging points at Todhills, Lancaster and Birch motorway service stations respectively.

Paul Bircham, regulation director of Electricity North West, said: “The UK is at a crossroads and whether it hits its decarbonisation targets depends to a great degree on the decisions made right now.

“We have the opportunity to make the environment the focus of our economic recovery from Covid-19, which is exactly what we’re doing here.

“By bringing forward some of these projects, we hope to help lead the north west towards net zero by increasing the capacity of our network and making it easier for people and businesses to adopt the types of new technologies that will be at the heart of our shift away from fossil fuels to a greener economy.”

Along with other network operators across the UK, Electricity North West has today launched a six-week call for evidence to identify the best shovel-ready projects that will support the government’s plans to transition the UK towards a net zero carbon emissions economy.

The company has identified 11 projects across the region and is inviting feedback from the public on which ones it should progress first.

Depending on the public feedback, it will then bring forward around £15 million in investment to fast-track those projects identified as providing the most immediate economic benefit and support to the transition to a net zero carbon economy.

The full list of projects shortlisted is as follows:

1. Strategic reinforcement of the network in the North Carlisle area
2. Strategic reinforcement of the network in the Lancaster/Forton area
3. Strategic reinforcement of the network in the Heywood/Birch area
4. Pre-Sense low-voltage network monitoring programme
5. Enablement works to support electric heating in Greater Manchester
6. Network reinforcements for EV charging hubs and on-street parking across the north west
7. Strategic reinforcement in the Carlisle/Morton area
8. Monitoring of high density low-carbon technologies in the Godley Green Garden Village area, Greater Manchester
9. Strategic reinforcements around the Mayfield regeneration project in central Manchester
10. Strategic reinforcements around the regeneration of the Blackfriars area of central Manchester
11. Strategic reinforcements around the Southern Gateway area of central Manchester

For further information or to take part in the public consultation, please visit www.enwl.co.uk/greenrecovery