The University of Lincoln, an award-winning institution with an international reputation for its quality of teaching and research, has been announced as the principal education partner of the £200m Yorkshire Energy Park.
The university will establish a campus on the former Hedon aerodrome site to the east of Hull and aim to up-skill and re-skill those based in the park, retaining and bolstering talent and skills in key industries within the Humber region.
The partnership was announced at the Waterline Summit, the largest and most important decarbonisation event in the North of England, which places the Humber at the forefront of climate change, empowering people and places to net zero and creating an economic model for decarbonisation.
Yorkshire Energy Park will bring together forward-thinking businesses from across the globe to create and deliver innovation and world firsts, including in the technology and digital sectors. It will provide an innovative research and development offer, marrying the industries housed on the park in a UK Centre of Excellence, with onsite vocational training and higher education facilities to develop the next generation of the workforce in key industries for its occupiers.
Yorkshire Energy Park Project Director Andrew Reynolds said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the University of Lincoln as our principal education partner and this is the next big step forward for this exciting development.
“Ensuring we keep skills and talent in these important industries local is so important and this partnership will offer the perfect opportunity and platform to do this.
“Aligned to the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda to reduce geographical and regional inequality, Yorkshire Energy Park has the potential to create up to 4,480 jobs, as well as apprenticeship, training and post-graduate opportunities for local people.
“The University of Lincoln is perfectly placed to support and develop this and we’re excited to see the potential as the partnership grows.”
Researchers at the University of Lincoln are developing innovative solutions to the challenge of sustainability, with research in key areas including climate science, clean energy, energy usage and sustainable supply chains, which is in line with some of Yorkshire Energy Park’s key objectives.
The training opportunities have started already, with students getting involved in the ecological project alongside developers.
Professor Libby John, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science, said:
“At the College of Science and wider University of Lincoln, we are delighted to have been chosen as the academic partner to the Yorkshire Energy Park, which will play a huge role in revitalising the local economy and creating positive societal impact.
“As a Civic University, we look forward to working collaboratively with YEP partners to enhance its education, innovation and research capabilities, while driving forward the sustainability and Net-Zero agendas.”
Yorkshire Energy Park is a next generation green energy and technology business park which will play a critical role in revitalising the local economy and cementing the Humber region’s reputation as the UK’s Energy Estuary.
Last month Yorkshire Energy Park also welcomed Vital Energi to its board – a decarbonisation, energy generation and distribution company that is notable for its projects across the UK from the Battersea Power Station to The University of York. Vital will take the lead on the Park’s energy strategy as part of the park’s vision to become one of the first zero carbon business parks in the UK.
Commenting on Vital Energi announcement, Chris Turner, Chairman of Yorkshire Energy Park said:
“Vital is a leader in modern energy solutions that support the decarbonisation ambitions of the UK. I’m looking forward to seeing their team apply this expertise to the Yorkshire Energy Park.”
Gary Fielding, Chairman of Vital Energi said;
“We’re proud to become the energy partner for Yorkshire Energy Park and play our part in design and delivery of a scheme which will provide great benefits to the tenants and to the local and regional economy.
“The Park’s vision is truly impressive, and we are excited to deliver long-term resilient energy and multi-utility infrastructure that supports this vision.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the development take shape over the coming months.”