Cumbria Renewables Panel

Welcome to the Cumbria Renewables Panel page hosted by Cumbria Vision.

The Panel has been established by Cumbria Vision – in conjunction with Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority – and is made up of specialists from key public sector bodies and has significant input from private sector companies, including Lakeland solar power firm Sundog, Kendal-based water turbine manufacturers Gilkes, and Carlisle engineers, Bendalls. The Panel is chaired by renowned scientist Sir Martin Holdgate CB – who brings vast experience as an energy policy advisor to UK Government.

The Panel has been established for two reasons:

■ To identify opportunities for renewable energy in Cumbria alongside associated technology services, which not only considers economic and social benefits but also the impact on the environment

■ Provide specialist advice to Cumbria Vision’s Board of Directors and partner organisations to help translate the opportunities into results on the ground

For meeting minutes, papers and presentations click here

Energy production has been identified as one of the two key priorities for Cumbria’s regeneration initiative. While the County already has well-established nuclear and off-shore wind capabilities, opportunities have been identified to better utilise Cumbria’s natural assets to generate renewable energy. These include wave and tidal technologies, anaerobic digestion as well as biomass. Microgeneratrion has also been identified as a key area for further development.

The Panel has a County-wide remit and is successfully informing numerous regeneration initiatives. It a direct link into the Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan – a package of regeneration projects which aims to establish West Cumbria as a major national hub for low carbon and renewable energy production. Through the “Industries for the Future” programme it is helping to create an environment where existing and pioneering forms of renewable energy production can establish and thrive.

The work of the Renewables Panel reflects Cumbria’s desire to create an economy centred on low carbon and renewable energy generation to help tackle the twin challenge of climate change and energy security; and in the process help create new and higher paid jobs, enhance skills levels, provide more opportunities for businesses and encourage private sector investment.

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