Energy Boss Visits Teesside To Discuss Energy Planning Backing Growth

The CEO of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has visited Teesside to meet the region’s mayor and industry leaders, to discuss how new energy infrastructure could help unlock the region’s ambitions to become Britain’s leading centre for clean industry.

The visit focused on how electricity capacity, connections and generation can meet rising demand from the region’s new and expanding industries, including advanced manufacturing, clean fuels and digital infrastructure.

Teesside is the UK’s largest industrial region, attracting investment in clean energy and low-carbon industries. Projects such as Net Zero Teesside and the Teesworks development are helping reshape the region’s industrial base.

Fintan Slye’s visit comes as NESO develops its long-term strategic energy planning for Great Britain, helping ensure the energy system keeps pace with regional growth ambition. Its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) is a 25-year blueprint for where electricity and hydrogen infrastructure is needed across Britain.

By understanding where demand will grow, the plan will help ensure the right infrastructure is built in the right places, providing certainty for investors and supporting long-term economic growth. This will be central to discussions with local leaders and businesses during his visit.

Chief Executive Officer of NESO, Fintan Slye, said:  “To deliver an energy system that is reliable, clean and affordable, we must plan ahead.

“I’m in Teesside to see how the region is attracting investment and building new industries and to understand how we can support that growth through strategic energy planning.

“By identifying future demand early, we can make sure the right infrastructure is in place to power jobs, industry and communities for the long term.”

During his visit Mr Slye visited Teesworks, which is one of the largest regeneration and industrial development projects in Europe. He met the owner of Steel River Power, a £100million venture to build a private wire electricity network for the site.

He also met lecturers and students at the Teesworks Skills Academy, a leading training hub in the North East. The centre is equipping local people with the expertise needed for jobs in local industry, specialising in emerging sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and net-zero projects.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “Our region is leading the way in delivering the industries and technologies that will power the UK’s future economy.

“We have some of the most ambitious clean energy, manufacturing and digital projects anywhere in the country, and ensuring we have the right energy infrastructure to support them is absolutely critical.

“That’s why it’s so important that NESO is engaging directly with our region as it develops its long-term plans for the UK energy system.

“Teesside is already attracting billions of pounds of investment and creating thousands of high-quality jobs, and with the right electricity infrastructure in place, we can unlock even greater opportunities for growth.”

Chief Executive of the South Tees Development Corporation, John Barnes, said: “Teesside is at the forefront of the UK’s clean industrial transformation, with major investments in low-carbon energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure creating significant new demand for power.

“As we continue to develop Teesworks and attract world-leading businesses to the region, it is vital that the necessary energy infrastructure is in place to support that growth.

“We welcome NESO’s engagement with Teesside and look forward to working together to ensure the region has the capacity and connectivity needed to unlock future investment, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth.”