EMCCA’s strategy for decarbonising the region were front and centre at three energy focused events that took place last week.
In Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, Mayor Claire officially opened the world’s first Fusion Energy Café, alongside Kerry McCarthy MP, Minister for Climate and Bassetlaw MP Jo White.
The Fusion Energy Café is based at the Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, just a few miles away from the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype Fusion Energy plant at West Burton. The opening ceremony took place on Thursday 28 November. The café will help to generate an interest in the field of fusion energy and inspire local people to study or work in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector. The café will also help to provide training and volunteering opportunities in catering and hospitality and provide work placements for learners with a disability, those not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or those who are long term unemployed.
On the same day at East Midlands Chamber’s Energy Summit held at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Burnaston, Derbyshire, Mayor Claire addressed the audience of businesses, academia and policy makers. In her speech (via video), the Mayor talked about the important role clean energy solutions play in stimulating inclusive growth and decarbonising the region. The summit examined all aspects of the energy ecosystem including storage, provision, distribution and technological developments in areas like fission, fusion and hydrogen.
The launch of the Midlands Regional Nuclear Skills Hub took place in Derby, also on the same day. Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, Nadine Peatfield, delivered a keynote address at the launch, held at the Enterprise Centre, University of Derby, with Rolls-Royce as the prime sponsor. The Midlands Hub is the region’s opportunity to work in partnership to develop and upskill the nuclear workforce of the future. The government, in partnership with the civil and defence nuclear industry, have launched the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (NNSPS) to help the nuclear sector fill 40,000 new jobs by the end of the decade. The new Regional Nuclear Skills Hubs, such as the Midlands Hub, are set to play a key part in realising that ambition.