Launched today the study, which includes senior players from the public, private, voluntary and academic spheres, explores the economic potential of the energy sector and the challenges it faces.

Based on extensive research with key players in the sector across the North of England, as well as consultation within the sector, the strategy sets out a detailed vision to make the most of its energy assets.

The report details how as part of a strategy it will create 100,000 jobs and add £15 billion a year to the northern economy.

Paul Bircham, Commercial Strategy and Support Director for Electricity North West, said: “We are proud to be supporting the Northern Energy Taskforce with their landmark study during this crucial and exciting time for the energy industry.

“It is our responsibility to not just maintain the network but to now think smarter and get more out of the network to reduce costly new infrastructure, react to customer needs and help those in fuel poverty.

“We are working to become a responsive and agile network operator with a hyper-local approach and with local communities at the heart.

“We’re champions of the North West and we’re proud that it’s our network that connects communities which is why we fully support the aspirations of the Northern Energy Taskforce.”

Sir John Harman, chair of the Northern Energy Taskforce and former Environment Agency chair, said: “If government is going to make further progress on the Paris agreement it requires a step-change in its approach.

“For instance, devolving carbon budgets would mean the North is responsible for its own destiny and turn a national policy-headache into northern prosperity, creating up to 100,000 of tomorrow’s green jobs.

“If it’s serious about spreading growth across the country, while meeting decarbonisation goals, the government must take this issue seriously and give the North of England real powers to kick-start a local energy revolution.”

The study aims to tackle challenges including:

• Meeting the UK’s commitment to decarbonise by 2050 while ensuring the Northern economy grows, given its assets and historic dependence on energy.
• Making the most of the North of England’s natural assets to meets own power needs and exploiting this technology globally.
• Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union and its impact on energy research; the impact of leaving the single market on energy prices, and the consequences of withdrawing from Euratom on the UK’s nuclear industry.

Discover how Electricity North West is working to move to a Distribution Systems Operator (DSO) model in which key balancing would take place to ensure a hyper-local approach is delivered.

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