Arctic energy heats up North East economy

A proposed electricity interconnector enabling electricity from hydro and geothermal sources in Iceland to help power homes and businesses in the UK is progressing, with North East sites set to support developments.

Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP has been appointed as CEO of Atlantic SuperConnection, which is planning to build the 930 mile 1.2GW interconnector and a cable manufacturing factory employing 500 people, bringing around £200m to the North East economy.

Invest North East England and the Tees Valley Combined Authority are also supporting the £3bn scheme with Atlantic SuperConnection currently looking for a site for the factory within the region.

Energy expert view

“The idea of generating electricity from renewable sources in Iceland and building a sub-sea interconnector to allow the electricity to supply the UK market is great and has been mooted for a number of years. At last it should soon become a reality. It is a fantastic opportunity for the North East, with well established expertise in sub-sea engineering and service provision and of course potentially a major environmental plus in terms of emissions reduction.” Alastair Fells MEI, Incorporated Eng, PG Dip Fuel Tech, BSc Hons

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