Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has announced the age of cheap power is "over" and has called for more innovation in the power industry to tackle climate change.

His remarks came as he opened the Energy innovation Centre at Capenhurst, near Chester - a hothouse for new energy businesses and technologies, which is expected to create 18 new companies and 60 jobs.

Mr Wicks added: "Britain is a nation of innovators as well as entrepreneurs, but we often fail to bring the two together. The Energy Innovation Centre is an excellent opportunity to target investment on good ideas, which will generate a stream of valuable new technologies."


The Energy Innovation Centre is the brainchild of independent power engineering specialist EA Technology, which is hosting the Centre at its Capenhurst headquarters, and providing business and technical support that fledgling companies need to turn their ideas into commercial reality.

Financial support for members is allocated by a Dragon's Den style investment forum, representing four of Britain’s Biggest electricity companies: Scottish and Southern Energy, ScottishPower, CE Electric and Electricity North West. The NWDA and EA Technology are also represented.

Enterprises can also become associate members, working off site.

EA Technology Managing Director Robert Davis explained: "The advantage of this approach is that the companies that are going to buy and use the new technologies are directly involved in choosing which ones to invest in and develop. That gives new members a real flying start."

Mr Davis also used the opening to launch a £1,000 Grand Ideas Reward Scheme, offered to anyone who nominates as energy innovation project which is subsequently taken up by the investment forum.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency is sponsoring the Centre with a £1.5m investment.

(JM)