Businesses invited to bid for share of £30m Clean Energy Innovation Fund

A major new programme designed to accelerate clean energy innovation and industrial decarbonisation across the Tees Valley and Humber is now seeking proposals from businesses and organisations with ambitious ideas for growth.

Backed by £30m through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, the initiative will bring together industry, academia and public sector partners to drive innovation, investment and job creation across the region's energy sector.

The programme is a collaboration between Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Teesside University and the University of Hull.

Funding will support innovative research and development activities relating to clean energy and industrial decarbonisation across the Tees Valley and Humber.

Applications are now open for local industry to propose activities focused on offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, waste-to-X, and carbon capture utilisation and storage.

These activities will form a region-wide portfolio of projects that drives long-term economic growth, supply chain development, and helps create high value jobs.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: 'Our regions are leading the way in developing the technologies that will power the future, and this funding represents a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to be part of that journey.

'By bringing together industry, academia and local leaders from across the Humber and Teesside, we can accelerate innovation, create high-quality jobs and strengthen our position as a global centre for clean energy and the next generation of industry. I’d encourage businesses with bold ideas to come forward and make the most of this support.'

Luke Campbell MBE, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: 'The Humber and Teesside have the opportunity to be at the heart of global innovation and investment in clean energy, and this programme will enable our local industry to grasp that opportunity.

'We encourage all relevant businesses to apply to be a part of our portfolio so that we can drive growth and create jobs in the Humber, and show that we can be a truly world-leading region.'

Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Teesside University, said: 'Teesside University is proud to support this investment, strengthening the Tees Valley and Humber’s role as a leading centre for clean energy innovation.

'By working with partners across the region, we will help accelerate industrial decarbonisation, create high-value jobs and attract further investment.'

Professor Tom Lawson, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: 'This next stage represents an important opportunity to build on the world-class industrial and research strengths that exist across the Humber and Tees Valley. Our regions are uniquely placed to lead the UK's clean energy future - the Humber and Tees Valley are home to some of the UK's most significant energy and industrial assets.

'Universities play a vital role in helping businesses innovate, providing the expertise, facilities and collaborative partnerships needed to develop new technologies and bring them to market. At the University of Hull, we are committed to working with companies across the region to turn ambitious ideas into solutions that deliver economic growth, competitiveness and progress towards clean energy.

'By combining the strengths of industry and academia, we can accelerate the development and adoption of these new technologies, drive investment and create skilled jobs for the future, attracting inward investment and cementing our position at the forefront of clean energy innovation.'

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is operated by UKRI, bringing together local government, businesses and research organisations. It helps them use local strengths to develop practical ideas that boost jobs and improve everyday lives.

This funding forms part of the record £86b research and development settlement until 2030 and represents a key pillar of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, supporting high-growth sectors in every region.

View full details on the LIPF portfolio and below or email lipf@tees.ac.uk

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