New images revealed for “iconic” energy centre

New images have been revealed for a landmark building in South Tyneside which would highlight the region’s skills and expertise in low carbon energy.Subject to funding and planning permission, the Northern Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence (NRECE) would provide a venue for educational visits, skills training and research, and is designed to be a major tourism attraction.The project will form part of the Holborn Renewable Energy Network in South Shields, which will use a combination of technologies, harnessing heat from abandoned flooded mines as well as from the River Tyne.Following a successful bid by South Tyneside Council to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Project Development Accelerator Fund, FaulknerBrowns architects has been developing the designs.Set over two floors, the 2,368 sq ft triangular building will house an energy centre for the heat network and a Centre of Excellence.Visitors would have direct views from the main double-height atrium into the energy centre and would be able to observe the plant.The attraction is expected to create 47 temporary construction and design jobs, alongside about 40 permanent jobs including academics, operation and maintenance technicians and front of house staff.Cllr Margaret Meling, lead member for economic growth, skills and climate change, said: “South Tyneside is ideally placed to develop this incredibly exciting project, with three renewable energy schemes underway in the Borough, one of which is the first of its kind in the country.”This centre would reinforce South Tyneside’s position at the forefront of pioneering technologies and underline our commitment to sustainability.”She added: “It would be a key venue for skills development, particularly STEM skills, right from primary through to higher education, allowing students to observe the energy network working in practice and inspiring them about careers in the green economy.”The venue forms part of the councils £20m South Shields bid to the Levelling Up Fund and will also feature a ‘green’ roof planted with vegetation and a flue stack.Cllr Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “This centre is a key component of our three-part Levelling Up bid, which aims to showcase our expertise, boost footfall and visitor numbers and ensure residents have access to the skills and training to provide a clear pipeline for new green jobs.”