The energy sector in Sheffield

In this Editorial

Everything needs energy. From powering the cars we drive, to the industrial processes that provide us with those same cars. But our growing population and desire to consume is demanding more. At current rates of economic growth and development we’re going to run out of resources, including energy.

Sheffield is quickly becoming a leader in low carbon, resilient energy and is well positioned to deliver the Government’s Industrial Strategy ambitions for ‘affordable energy and clean growth’ in a bid for the city region to be recognised as the ‘Green Heart of Great Britain’, of which ‘Green hydrogen’ is a key economic focus in the move towards a net-zero carbon economy.

Our position within the Northern Powerhouse, which generates 27 per cent of UK electricity, is backed by unique assets and a committed approach to renewables, and our region has set itself a target to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2040. This provides a focus for sustained investment, with key priorities including reducing carbon emissions, generating low carbon energy, improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings and accelerating the transition to ultra-low or zero-emission transport.

Collaboration between private and public sector bodies are integral to delivering this, and below is an illustration of the strength we have in that regard.

ITM Power

Based in Sheffield, ITM have the largest electrolyser manufacturing site in the world, making them the green hydrogen firm, giving our city an unrivalled advantage in this area when it comes to talent attraction, knowledge sharing and research, and potential investment. ITM have recently reached an agreement with the University of Sheffield to acquire a substantial site at its Innovation District for the company’s second UK factory in Tinsley, at a cost of £13.4m.

The University of Sheffield Energy Institute

Finding low-carbon solutions to the world’s biggest energy challenges, with a focus on 5 key pillars:

  1. Electrical energy storage
  2. Nuclear
  3. Circular economy
  4. Wind
  5. Conventional power
X