When it comes to net zero, local residents and businesses in the North East of England can proudly declare that they are leading the way. It’s certainly true that there’s an exciting mix of projects in development and well underway in the region that are driven by net zero targets and a shared interest to build greener.
The North East is home to our Sunderland, Teesside and Gosforth Recruitment teams, who actively support net zero projects across the region – helping provide access to new sectors and job vacancies for local candidates.
We take a snapshot of what’s going on in the region, and look at why the North East are justifiably proud of their net zero progress.
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Net Zero and Sunderland
In 2020, Sunderland City Council set out plans to become a low carbon city, promising to look at how they can reduce direct and indirect carbon emissions and become net zero by 2030 across council operations, and by 2040 as a city. Partners working towards achieving a low carbon city include the University of Sunderland, North East England Chamber of Commerce and the NHS. Their Low Carbon Framework includes looking at the energy efficiency of existing buildings and infrastructure, whilst exploring how zero carbon can be achieved for new housing and buildings.
The generation of renewable energy and storage will also play a role in the strategy – as well as district heating schemes. Together with a focus on waste and consumption, and how the recycling and reuse of materials can be increased to reduce landfill disposal.
Low carbon transport is also a strategic priority for the city – which saw them welcome the creation of a new state-of-the-art 9GWh-capacity Gigafactory that will manufacture electric vehicle batteries. With construction now well underway on Sunderland’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park, the facility has forged a partnership with local car manufacturer Nissan to support their net zero acceleration plans.
Net Zero and Teesside
Teesside is seeing a huge regeneration and resurgence, thanks to a large number of net zero projects happening in the region that are helping to bring back much needed jobs and industry. The industrial landscape around the Teesworks and former manufacturing areas have bold plans that will see the creation of a mix range of low carbon, net zero and renewable energy facilities – known as Net Zero Teesside.
Work started in early 2017, with the construction of MGT’s Tees Renewable Energy Plant – which NRL’s specialist project team were delighted to engage 335 workers to support across the construction stages. The low carbon combined heat and power plant, is expected to power 600,000 homes and supply heat to nearby users.
It’s part of plans to bring to life renewable energy, hydrogen and power projects – including carbon capture and storage. As well as the UK’s first of its kind gas-fired power station with carbon capture, Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power). Which forms part of a wider focus on how the entire industrial area of Teesside can decarbonise operations.
Whilst off the North East’s vast coastline, work is currently underway to construct Dogger Bank – the largest offshore windfarm in the world. It marks huge progress in the region within the renewable energy sector for construction, operations and maintenance - as well as breathing new life into subsea manufacturing in the region.
NRL are proud to be partnering with Equinor to support the recruitment of this leading regional project, as we work together to provide opportunities for local candidates to support the energy transition.
Net Zero and Humberside
Extensive decarbonisation plans are also in development across the Yorkshire and Humber region, working in conjunction with the Northern Endurance Partnership.
It’s recognised that due to a large amount of heavy industry in the region, the Humber is the most carbon intensive industrial cluster in the UK. Which makes their plans to develop carbon capture, storage and utilisation even more important – combined with low carbon hydrogen technology.
Initiatives include H2H Saltend, which if approved could provide low-carbon hydrogen production. Whilst Drax is looking to convert its existing Selby-based power station to bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS), to allow it to produce negative emissions. With development plans for Keadby 3 also focusing on carbon capture. It follows the construction of the 840MW-capacity Keadby 2 station, the UK’s most efficient gas-fired power station, which NRL were proud to manage all supplementary workers for to bring the project to life.
Credit: Net Zero Humber
Creating employment opportunities in the North East
NRL’s North East team are seeing first-hand the great career opportunities these net zero projects are providing local people.
Teesside Divisional Manager Allan Stevenson DipRMspends most days working with regional businesses to support their net zero plans.
“It’s great to see so much generation happening in our region, and it makes me really proud to know that NRL are able to help people secure long-term career prospects in these new net zero sectors. We always enjoy chatting with local candidates to understand what they’re looking for to build their future – and when we’re able to secure work for them in a new sector they hadn’t previously considered, it’s extremely rewarding.”
Sunderland Divisional Manager Lisa Jacksonis also seeing ample opportunity for local people to support net zero activity in renewable energy and the built environment sectors.
“From the construction of new manufacturing facilities and offshore wind turbines, to retrofitting heat pumps to make buildings more energy efficient – it’s exciting to be able to provide temporary and permanent work opportunities for people across the North East.”
Interested in joining our team?
With so much going on within the North East region, we’re looking to grow our Sunderland team. If you’re interested in a career in recruitment, then we’re looking for ambitious individuals to join us as a Graduate Trainee Recruitment Consultant. You’ll get all the training and support you need to be successful in the role, and you’ll get straight to work finding the right candidates for our busy roster of projects and clients.
Not local to the North East? Check out our other NRL Group vacancies here.
The latest net zero roles from NRL
We’re delighted to share a selection of our net zero and green energy vacancies in the North East:
PROJECT FINANCE CONTROLLER
South Shields, Permanent, Negotiable salary
Fantastic opportunity to join Equinor’s project team who are supporting Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore windfarm.
CONSULTANT ENGINEER
Middlesbrough, Permanent, Negotiable salary
Kraken IM are looking for someone to support their management team with system configurations, data researching and provide carbon reduction advice to clients.
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIANS
Wallsend, Contract, Competitive salary
Multiple roles available for Electrical Technicians with experience in an engineering assembly environment.
COMMISSIONING ENGINEER
Wallsend, Contract, £37-42,000 per annum
Our client is also looking for experienced Commissioning Engineers to provide technical support during the commissioning and FAT process.
PRODUCTION ENGINEER
Hartlepool, Contract, Competitive salary
A 12 month contract to support the Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Rotterdam Prototype Project, based at the O&M base in South Shields. With occasional travel to Rotterdam.
PRODUCTION OPERATIVES
Hartlepool, Contract, £12.84-£13.74 per hour
12 month contracts available to support with the manufacture of subsea cabling. Long-term opportunities, working on a continental shift pattern (day and night shifts).
Looking for more roles?
To find the right role for you take a look at our latest jobs using the link below.
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