Greater Manchester hosts British Energy Challenge

 A national energy-road show – including some of the biggest organisations involved in keeping our lights on – will have its Manchester leg on Friday September 6, starting at 10am.

‘The British Energy Challenge’ exhibition features over 40 well known national and Manchester based companies, who will showcase what they’re doing around future opportunities and challenges for  the country’s energy supply.

Attendees can learn about how our energy is generated and where it goes, as well as find out about what changes to our energy supply mean for consumers.

Visitors have the opportunity to put their climate change questions to Met Office scientists, see how the National Grid is planning for the future and get a sneak-peak of what a sustainable house of the future may look like. 

Alongside the exhibition there is a British Energy Challenge discussion event led by the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Professor David MacKay; Mark Lynas, climate change author and Mark Atherton, GM's Environment Director . 

They will discuss our future energy needs with an invited audience of key figures from across Greater Manchester. The discussion will highlight ways to produce a 'pathway to 2050’, and propose how the UK can  keep greenhouse gas emissions down whilst still providing affordable energy.

The event is being arranged in partnership with the Greater Manchester Low Carbon Hub, which brings together representatives from business, local authorities, universities  and the third sector to deliver Greater Manchester's leading edge ambitions on green and low carbon issues. 

Greater Manchester has made significant pledges to reducing the region’s carbon footprint; aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 48 per cent by 2020  (based on 1990 levels) .

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Chair of GM's Low Carbon Hub will open the exhibition at 10am. Sir Richard said: “It’s vital we raise awareness of the energy challenges that we’re facing. Greater Manchester is already delivering on our ambitious vision, but there is more we need to do.

“We need to make sure our residents and businesses have access to clean, affordable energy, now and in the future. This event will draw attention to concerns and challenges around our energy supply, and how we overcome them to trigger business growth.

“I’m looking forward to the event and seeing how the exhibitors are planning to power our city with clean, sustainable and low-carbon energy.”

Professor David Mackay, DECC’s Chief Scientific Advisor, added: “Decarbonising the energy system is one of the most important challenges facing the UK today – and it can’t be achieved without the support of local communities and businesses.  This event is a great way to raise the profile of energy in the public domain”. 

The event is one of three road shows taking place around the country. Manchester is expected to be the largest of the three.

The roadshow is free and is open to the public. To register for the event please visit: http://britishenergychallengemanchester.eventbrite.co.uk/

ENDS

Issued: 3 September 2013.