Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has congratulated the North West on seizing the opportunities that a low carbon future offers as local firm ENER-G announces the creation of 100 new jobs.

Greg Barker is visiting the region to learn from the successes of local green business but also to hear firsthand what challenges still exist.

As part of the fact finding mission Greg Barker will visit Salford based eco-company ENER-G to open their new £2m extension and announce new jobs at the company. ENER-G will confirm plans to create a further 100 new jobs in 2011. EnerG already employs nearly 300 people in Salford making low carbon and renewable technologies.

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Mr Barker said: “I’m extremely pleased to be able to announce the £2m expansion to ENER-G and to celebrate the new jobs that will come with that investment. These are still challenging times for the whole economy but as the recovery really starts to grow Salford is fast becoming a green beacon of the North West by capitalising on a move to a low carbon economy.

“I’m impressed by the forward thinking nature of businesses here which are developing the technologies of the future but I also want to find out what challenges still exist for those yet to benefit. I’m talking to local businesses to find ways to unlock investment.

“We're serious about being the greenest government ever and unlocking low green growth in all parts Britain.”

Greg Barker also addressed a conference at Salford University on the importance of retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency. The Green Deal, due to start in 2012, is the Government’s new and radical way of enabling private companies to make energy efficiency available to all at no upfront cost.

(BMcN)