News
SOLAR SO GOOD
Sunderland to lead low-carbon production with Nissan expansion
Ambitious plans to install a further 37,000 solar panels at Nissan ’ s Sunderland plant have moved a step closer as Engenera Renewables Group , the company delivering the project , formally submitted the planning application to Sunderland City Council .
If approved , it will be a major step towards developing Sunderland as one of the leading UK cities for low-carbon technology and production and create many high-skilled jobs in the area .
The proposed expansion will also see Nissan move closer to its aim of becoming a carbon neutral company by 2050 by ensuring that at least 20 per cent of the plant ’ s energy needs would come from renewable sources . In effect , this is enough to build every single zero-emission Nissan Leaf sold across
Europe – an important staging post towards the company ’ s ambition of electrifying all the vehicles it manufactures by 2030 .
Calculations also show that the new Solar Array would result in an annual reduction of approximately 4,500 tonnes of carbon emissions .
The application submitted by Engenera Renewables Group is to operate the expanded Solar Array for a period of 40 years , after which the site will be decommissioned and returned to its existing condition .
Approval of the plans would also kickstart a second phase of decarbonisation plans for Nissan , also delivered by Engenera , which would involve solar car ports , EV charging stations , and a range of renewable heat solutions .
£ 15m world-class training centre to move forward
Leaders of major institutions in Sunderland have welcomed a £ 20m commitment announced in the Autumn Budget that will support delivery of a cutting-edge training facility that will provide ‘ next generation skills for next generation homes ’ as part of Sunderland ’ s ambitious city centre housing ecosystem . Sunderland City Council , Education Partnership North East and the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education ( MOBIE ) have secured funding from the Government ’ s Levelling Up Fund ( LUF ) that will see the development of a Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy ( HICSA ) – a ground-breaking facility that will educate , train and upskill local people to create innovative factorybuilt new homes , the first of which will be assembled at Riverside Sunderland .
In total , £ 9m will support the HICSA , with the remaining LUF support assisting
the development of new sustainable communities in Sunniside and on Riverside Sunderland .
The facility – the brainchild of the three organisations working in partnership – will enable Sunderland to build the skills base to upgrade the city ’ s homes locally , using modern construction methods , low carbon , renewable energy and smart technology .
It will position Sunderland at the heart of the UK ’ s net zero ambitions , enabling the city to capitalise on the move towards modern methods of construction and sustainable house-building .
BUSINESS BRIEFS
ALIANCE GROWTH An organisation that supports GPs in Sunderland is continuing its rapid expansion to help drive forward the innovation of NHS services .
Sunderland GP Alliance has expanded its base at the North East Business and Innovation Centre for the fourth time in six years – now adding a second office to accommodate its growing team of 220 clinical and office workers .
CULTURE BID News County Durham is a step closer to being crowned UK City of Culture 2025 has been met with joy and resolve by the partnership driving forward the bid .
The Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) announced its longlist of eight locations that will progress to the next stage of the prestigious contest .
County Durham is among those to have been selected from the 20 bidding locations .
CIVIC DUTY Contracts have exchanged on the sale of the Sunderland Civic Centre , paving the way for a stunning new residential community to take shape .
Vistry Partnerships North East is set to take charge of the site on Burdon Road , with plans to develop an exciting new neighbourhood of city centre homes , interwoven with open public spaces and pedestrian links to the rest of the city .
The North-East house builder and regeneration specialist , which is already delivering a housing scheme in Ayton , Washington , was named preferred developer earlier earlier in 2021 .
UPSKILL CASH Employers across the region are set to benefit from a funding pot worth almost £ 15m that aims to boost the key skills of thousands of workers through education and training .
The North-East Workforce Skills Programme is a European Social Fund ( ESF ) project , delivered by a consortium of further and higher education providers across the North-East led by the University of Sunderland .
Worth £ 14,862,142 , the programme aims to support more than 17,500 employees through tailored training and development solutions for businesses , from learning basic skills up to degree level .
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