Technological testing in the land of the lakes

Monday, April 12, 2010

Cumbria's bold vision is to market itself as a centre for experimentation in the alternative energy sector – without causing any damage to its tourist trade. Alison Thomas reports

Cumbria is aiming to position itself at the forefront of the UK's energy revolution by promoting itself as a laboratory and proving ground for alter-native technologies.

The county aims to use its natural resources and build on centres of expertise to promote low-carbon and renewable energy.

And according to Cumbria Vision, the organisation responsible for leading economic regeneration in the county, it can make a substantial contribution towards UK renewable energy targets, while creating thousands of skilled jobs.

Cumbria can meet a third of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, and double that by 2050, while also becoming an exporter of renewable energy, according to a report by Sir Martin Holdgate, environmental scientist and chairman of the Cumbria renewables panel.

The report complements plans to establish a West Cumbria "energy coast" as a centre of excellence for nuclear technology and skills development, using plans for a new nuclear power station at Sellafield as a springboard for a cluster of zero- and low-carbon projects.

It estimates that by 2050 Cumbria could have 5.5gigawatts of installed renewable capacity, and meet the energy needs of more than 300,000 people through a mix of wind, hydro, tidal, solar, geothermal and biomass schemes – without damaging the landscapes that attract 16 million visitors a year.

But, says Sir Martin, the "big surprise" from the report is the potential role of small-scale energy schemes in creating jobs. "The findings have surprised most of us," he says. "For example, while offshore wind power could generate enough energy to meet over half the county's needs by 2050, it will not provide many jobs unless a turbine manufacturing industry is established here.

"On the other hand, smaller hydro, geothermal, biomass and solar developments may generate a modest amount of energy but could support thousands of jobs, especially as homes begin to supply their own heat and power from heat pumps, solar panels and other devices."

Not only would the most employment come from smaller-scale household and community energy projects, the main business beneficiaries would be small and medium enterprises, rather than the big multinationals. It is estimated that renewables could create 5,000 new jobs in the area.

There is also scope to "green" existing jobs and re-skill the workforce of existing fossil fuel industries as they switch to lower-carbon sources, and to create new jobs in research and development, Sir Martin says.

Cumbria Vision chairman Roger Liddle says the organisation's research could "form the backbone of a green industrial revolution".

"Renewable energy, along with nuclear new build, is a key driver in Cumbria's economic renaissance," Liddle says. "It will help Britain's response to climate change and energy security and hold significant benefits for the local economy and its businesses and communities."

Options for renewables in Cumbria
WIND ENERGY: a huge expansion of wind energy is under way off the Cumbria coast, potentially producing up to 3.5GW of power by 2050. There is also the potential for small niche community-owned onshore developments, despite the sensitivity of Lake District landscapes.

BIOMASS: anaerobic digestion of farm waste and improving forest management to provide woodfuel could support up to 1,000 jobs and generate more than 100MW of energy.

HYDRO: Cumbria has 15 hydro-electric plants, generating enough electricity for 4,500 households, while studies have identified another 400 weirs and 70 dams that could be harnessed for small- scale projects.

TIDAL: tidal barrages across Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the Solway Firth could meet a significant proportion of the UK's energy needs – but may be as controversial as the proposed Severn barrage. The mooted £1bn Duddon estuary bridge would not only generate energy but cut 17 miles off the journey between Barrow and west Cumbria, making it a key infrastructure project to support a new nuclear power station and related energy coast developments.

SOLAR AND GEOTHERMAL: both energy sources could create jobs in design, installation and maintenance. But their contribution to energy needs will depend on whether government incentives persuade householders and communities to install such systems.