Council joins forces with SSE to drive sustainable energy investment and growth
19 Mar 2025
Northumberland County Council has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with green energy infrastructure provider SSE Energy Solutions to drive investment, growth and collaboration in sustainable energy and transport solutions.
The agreement will also further accelerate the decarbonisation of the county.
The County Council has identified SSE as a key strategic partner in developing, deploying, and accelerating investment in energy infrastructure projects that support both the Council’s growth ambitions and county-wide decarbonisation goals.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “This agreement cements our reputation as a county that has the capacity and infrastructure to attract international companies to locate in Northumberland.
“We have already seen the likes of QTS with their £10bn data centre campus and JDR Cables set up in the south east of our county, and having enough power is a key attractor to these kind of companies.
“We’re looking forward to a long and positive working relationship with SSE, and this agreement is also a major commitment of our drive for a greener county for the benefit of everyone in the county.”
SSE has already begun engaging with other public and private sector organisations in the region to explore opportunities for energy infrastructure development, such as the decarbonisation of key industrial sites and large energy users across Northumberland, including contact with some of the County’s most significant employers at the recent Northumberland Business and Economic Forum.
Work is also underway to enhance power capacity at major economic hubs, with SSE collaborating with the Council, National Grid, and other investors to ensure sustainable energy provision for future growth.
In line with the Council’s commitment to a just transition, SSE Energy Solutions champions inclusive growth, ensuring that no one is left behind in the shift to a low-carbon economy.
As part of this partnership, efforts will also strengthen focus on building a ‘green skills workforce,’ creating opportunities for local people to secure long-term careers in the renewable energy sector. SSE’s ‘regional’ model means they have a strong presence in Northumberland.
Northumberland County Council is committed to achieving net zero, with ambitious plans to drive sustainability across the county. SSE has recently increased its investments into clean energy by 65% to a total of £20.5bn by 2027, building the clean energy infrastructure that the UK needs to support its transition to net zero.