Region is a 'Goldilocks zone' for clean energy

THE North East has been classed as a “super region” which has the best geological conditions to help the UK in its multibillion-pound clean energy drive.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

The region is one of eight areas around the country which have the right geologies to host certain net zero technologies, including carbon capture and storage, shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences.

The British Geological Survey says the “Goldilocks zones” are “just right” to help the country meet its target of hosting 650,000 jobs in renewable energy by 2030.

Along with the North West and South Yorkshire and the Humber, Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and South West England, the British Geological Survey says the Northern areas could play a “pivotal role” in the drive to more sustainable energy production. Using such areas would create cheaper and more reliable energy, boost the economy and help the UK reach net zero targets.