This week Neil Carmichael MP discusses energy

I AM particularly pleased with the success of our application to the Growth Fund to create an energy and engineering training centre – known as Berkeley GREEN.

The already well equipped engineering halls on the site near the decommissioned power station will provide ample space for a full range of teaching and learning. This represents a key part of my strategy to develop our local economy.

Energy is becoming critical for two obvious reasons. The growing recognition of the impact of climate change is one; it is twenty five years since Margaret Thatcher made her dramatic and ground breaking speech to the United Nations on the need to take radical action to protect our planet. Today, still more action is urgently needed with energy generation being at the forefront for reform.

The second reason to be concerned about energy is the rising demand for energy both at home and, increasingly, abroad. Economic growth in emerging economies is driving up energy costs and even constraining supply. So, the challenges are to produce cleaner energy, and to find a sustainable equilibrium between supply and demand.

All of this means investment in energy infrastructure and skills. Berkeley GREEN is, therefore, timely in terms of the energy challenges we face as well as contributing to the creation of employment opportunities for local people. Fortunately, with £5million funding already secured, key stakeholders including Stroud College driving the project forward and business commitment confirmed, Berkeley GREEN is will deliver.

A firm foundation for investment has been created through the Energy Act 2013 with a staggering £45billion already invested in energy generation and transmission networks. It is estimated that a further £200billion in needed for the sector by 2020. All this investment is necessary for the United Kingdom but also great for the Stroud Valleys and Vale because technology such as connectors, complex piping, control systems and renewable energy hardware, is supplied by local businesses.

A revolution in energy is coming. A principle focus of mine is to ensure that the Valleys and Vale are ready to play a major part in it.