By Ross Brewster

Last updated 05:43, Friday, 19 September 2008

UP TO 1,500 new jobs could be created to boost the Cumbrian economy by branching into forms of renewable energy production, especially biomass, tidal and wave, and by encouraging microgeneration among businesses in the county.

A study commissioned by economic development agency Cumbria Vision urged a positive reaction to issues raised by climate change.

Cumbria Vision, in association with the county council and the Cumbria Strategic Partnership Climate Change Task Force, commissioned consultants Quantum to carry out an assessment of the economic opportunities and problems posed by incoming European and UK climate change legislation.

The findings were presented to around 80 people from public sector organisations and businesses at a workshop at University of Cumbria’s Newton Rigg campus earlier this week.

The report says an estimated 1,500 new jobs could be created by branching into forms of renewable energy production that could easily find a home in Cumbria.

Improving the county’s grid connection to serve a new nuclear power station and off shore windfarms alone would safeguard 1,000 jobs, while another 500 jobs would be safeguarded at companies that rise to the challenge of higher energy bills and become more energy efficient, it is claimed.

Simon Sjenitzer, strategy director at Cumbria Vision, said: “Cumbria needs to respond positively to climate change legislation so that we can diversify the economy and establish the county as a centre for energy generation and innovation.

“Locally our reward would be higher paid jobs, more investment, improvements in skills levels; while nationally Cumbria will be able to play an important role in meeting the twin challenges of energy security and climate change. These are issues close to everybody’s heart as we have a responsibility to future generations to start acting now. We cannot afford to be left behind.”

Cumbria Vision is working alongside partners to transform west Cumbria into Britain’s Energy Coast, a £2 billion package of regeneration projects that build on the area’s globally important expertise and skills in nuclear to diversify into other areas of energy production.

Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan is a collection of 30 regeneration projects ranging from new training facilities, enterprise support and a new nuclear power station at Sellafield; to investment in road and rail links, alongside improvements to public spaces, cultural, leisure and sporting facilities. The masterplan predicts that 16,000 jobs would be created and the County’s economy given a boost of £800 million.Sue Stevenson, director of Cumbria Strategic Partnership, said there was a collective responsibility to attack the climate change agenda and maximise the potential for Cumbria.She said: “There are many opportunities arising from this it really is about energising the county’s economy and energising communities to act as well. They key is not to view this in isolation but for everyone to work together on this important and pressing issue.”

Quantum was also charged with calculating Cumbria’s carbon output.

It found that Cumbria produces 7.42 million tonnes of carbon a year and 52 per cent of this comes from industry and commerce. Transport equates to 29 per cent, households 17 per cent and land use 2 per cent. In response to these findings they suggested the specific targeting of small and medium sized businesses to ensure that they stay competitive in a market where green credentials can mean the difference between winning and losing a lucrative contract. It also pressed for low carbon forms of transport to be championed for the benefit of business, residents and in particular tourists.

The establishment of Cumbria as a green tourism destination was also recommended, capitalising on enthusiasm for environmentally conscious holidays in response to the high carbon cost of air travel. Cumbria’s natural assets could also be harnessed to generate energy and establish strong localised industries with new supply chains. The abundance of forestry waste makes biomass an attractive proposition while miles of coastline, rivers, streams and lakes makes wave and tidal power generation another obvious choice.Microgeneration also has an important role to play, according to the study. Investment in technology including small scale wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, and ground source heat pumps, to power individual buildings would not only improve energy efficiency but also help to safeguard jobs. The construction industry was also identified as important in spreading the energy efficiency message, because 25,000 new homes as scheduled to be build in Cumbria over the next 13 years.The report ‘The Economic Implications of Climate Change Legislation for Cumbria’ is now being finalised. The findings will be published at www.cumbriastrategicpartnership.org.uk and www.cumbriavision.co.uk