A £1.5m grant has been approved towards the construction of EA Technology’s Energy Innovation Centre by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The Capenhurst Energy Innovation Centre will be a unique new facility, desined to enable start-up companies and individuals to turn innovative ideas into commercially successful products and services for the energy industry.

The project will provide the environment and resources which will enable members to deliver technology solutions with tangible benefits and return on investment for their customers, develop into profitable and growing independent companies and be part of an expanding community of technology innovators serving the energy sector.

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Mark Hughes, Executive Director for Enterprise and Skills at the NWDA, said: "The energy sector makes an important contribution to the region’s economy, contributing approximately £5bn and employing over 50,000 people in the Northwest. This new centre will provide crucial support and investment for new businesses looking to bring new products and processes to the market, which will help to promote the sector’s continued growth and development."

Incubation facilities will be established at the premises of EA Technology Ltd which was originally established in 1966 as the research and development facility of the Electricity Council. Start up companies will be able to utilise specialist facilities and equipment and importantly, gain ready access to electricity network operators who will also be prospective customers for the start ups.

Three electricity network operators (Electricity North West, Scottish Power and CE Electric) are project partners and will provide financial assistance to the start ups via the 'Innovation Funding Incentive', which is an Ofgem approved scheme for supporting innovation and research in electricity transmission and distribution.

(JM)