GHD contributes to UK’s Northern Energy Task Force

One of the world’s top employee-owned professional services companies, GHD, has contributed to a landmark energy strategy for the North of England as part of the Northern Energy Task Force.

The strategy proposes that devolving responsibility for the UK’s carbon budget to the North of England could create up to 100,000 jobs and add GBP15 billion to the economy.

The strategy also recommends more flexible energy pricing to support industries, and includes detailed action plans for a wide range of renewable energy technologies, such as offshore wind, tidal and bio-energy schemes.

Chris Jones, GHD’s UK Technical Leader – Power, is a member of the taskforce and has more than 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Chris also represented the Durham Energy Institute, which produces cutting-edge research drawing on Durham University's departments in Science, Social Science and Humanities.

“Being a member of the taskforce has been a great opportunity to help ensure that the fantastic resources, skills and enthusiasm which exist in the North are recognised. I firmly believe this region can help solve our current and future energy challenges: maximising prosperity and reducing energy poverty, whilst meeting UK’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions,” Chris says.

“With five offices across the North of England, we understand how critical the region is to the economic development of the country. Our people are proud to live and work locally, and play their part in transformational projects that create a brighter future for the region.”

GHD’s contribution to the taskforce also highlights the company’s wide range of capabilities for energy sector projects. The company has a multidisciplinary power team in Newcastle-upon-Tyne offering technical, economic and environmental advisory services, including investment planning for regulated utilities and private developers.

The company is supporting a number of clients in the North who are delivering the energy mix that is required for the future. GHD is currently working on the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstrator project, as well as other onshore and offshore generation, and electricity interconnector projects.

The skills of GHD’s rapidly growing Power team in the UK are also being applied in projects across Middle East, Australia and the Philippines.