A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Newcastle City Council and SSE Energy Solutions will lead to the opening of a regional headquarters by the energy infrastructure provider and transform delivery of the city's Net Zero Action Plan.
The MOU will look to provide more long-term, high-quality careers for local people in the £2.7bn low carbon economy by leveraging the city’s position at the forefront of the green industrial revolution.
As a major hub for global energy companies, Newcastle and the River Tyne Economic Corridor have been designated as a priority area for the £160m North East Investment Zone, which will drive investment and innovation in clean energy.
North East England has the highest concentration of energy-related businesses of any English region and is recognised by the Department for Business and Trade as a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for heat decarbonisation, a key focus for SSE.
Cllr Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council, says: "SSE’s commitment to Newcastle marks a significant step towards the realisation of our net zero ambitions and will help foster inclusive economic growth in communities across the city.
“Newcastle holds the distinction of being the first city in the world where the city council, university and hospital trust each declared a climate emergency and committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 and by joining forces with SSE, we intend to show we are serious about building a more sustainable future for our city and region."
SSE has also been selected by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as one of four major private sector firms to deliver net zero at pace and at scale.
The 'West Yorkshire Strategic Climate and Environment Partnership' signed at a major international investor conference UKREiiF in Leeds will see companies advising the combined authority on the targeted investments it should make to deliver green skills, decarbonise homes and businesses, and put the region on the path to net zero carbon by 2038.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, says: “During my first term, I was proud to invest over £200 million in green projects.
Newcastle holds the distinction of being the first city in the world where the city council, university and hospital trust each declared a climate emergency and committed to being carbon neutral by 2030
Working with partners, we insulated social homes, match-funded businesses to green their processes, put electric buses on our roads, and provided direct grants to communities to lower their carbon footprint.
“But we will not deliver net zero without bringing the private sector with us.
This groundbreaking new partnership will help us become greener, quicker and deliver net zero at scale and at speed, cutting energy bills in a cost of living crisis, and building a brighter region for future generations.”
Neil Kirkby, Managing Director of Enterprise at SSE Energy Solutions, adds: “Our collaboration with Newcastle City Council (NCC) and the deal with the West Yokshire Combined Authority (WYCA) are a testament to SSE's unwavering commitment to supporting the North of England’s transition to a sustainable future.
By combining our expertise in decarbonisation and renewable energy with Newcastle's position as a hub for innovation, we aim to create a powerful model for accelerating the net zero transition - one that can be replicated across regions throughout the UK and Ireland.
“These collaborations are prime examples of how SSE is investing in the communities where we operate, driving local economic growth, and championing a fair and just energy transition.
Together with NCC and the WYCA, we will work to unlock the potential of low-carbon technologies, foster the development of a skilled green workforce, and ultimately, build a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.”
