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To meet net zero targets how we produce energy is changing, bringing far reaching career prospects to Cumbria – as NRL’s Egremont Director Rebecca Graves discussed with In-Cumbria business magazine.
Change is already happening. Panoramic landscapes are now scattered with wind turbines and innovative projects are looking at how else we can harvest green energy to power our communities.
The recent Cumbria Distributed Energy Strategy, a comprehensive study spearheaded by EY and commissioned by the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership with backing from North-West Net Zero Hub, marks a significant milestone in this energy transformation. It not only underscores Cumbria's commitment to diversifying its energy mix but also highlights the pivotal role local businesses and the workforce will play in realising this vision.
The strategy report investigates Cumbria's rich potential for alternative energy sources, including onshore wind, bioenergy, solar and hydropower. For local engineering businesses this opens a landscape rife with commercial opportunities. From the potential to install more wind turbines, to exploring the prospects of bioenergy production through agricultural means, the shift towards distributed energy sources could have a positive impact on the region’s economy and employment prospects.
NRL, a specialist in technical and engineering recruitment, are already supporting clients with their energy transition projects, bridging the gap between future energy projects and the skilled workforce required to transform these possibilities into reality.
Director Rebecca Graves welcomes the opportunities the report may bring to the region;
"The future of energy in Cumbria is incredibly positive, presenting a golden opportunity for both our clients in the energy sector and professionals seeking rewarding careers in this dynamic field.
Moving towards a decentralised, distributed energy strategy will ensure we’re able to provide sustainable power across the region in a way that’s least intrusive to local residents. Looking at solar panels for example on top of buildings in built-up areas, whilst carefully considering how to use natural sources such as tidal and wind in more remote locations.
To bring these plans to life though we’re going to need people, which provides a fantastic opportunity to identify transferable skills that can support these new energy projects, whilst creating training programmes for our current and future generation of workers.”
However the region’s plan to drive more green energy into the mix evolve in the coming years, engineering businesses up and down the supply chain have an opportunity to diversify into new services and expertise, grow their businesses and generate more local employment.
For more information on how NRL can support your business's transition into green energy projects or to discuss your career within the renewable sector, get in touch with Rebecca on rgraves@nrl.co.uk.
You can read the full July issue of In-Cumbria business magazine online.