Materials Processing Institute

Chris McDonald, Chief Executive of the Materials Processing Institute, has been calling for the UK to become self-sufficient in energy production for several years.

Reacting to the current energy price crisis, he said: “This country is too reliant on importing gas and electricity from other countries, and this current crisis highlights the importance of taking control of and guaranteeing our future energy supplies.

“The UK must also invest in renewables, either offshore wind or nuclear, which can be used to produce hydrogen to enable the decarbonisation of the gas network.

“Such a green energy policy will not only support the steel sector, but many other industries, by attracting investment – because what investors demand is a surety of energy supply.”

The dangers of the UK’s reliance on offshore power imports were highlighted last week when a fire hit the interconnector used to transfer electricity from France to Britain – resulting in a 19 percent hike in energy prices, already exacerbated by low wind supply and high gas prices.

Chris added: “The availability and cost of our energy impacts on every part of our lives and the economy.

“We have already seen several energy firms fail due to the high cost of gas, while CF Fertilisers halted work at their plants on Teesside and Cheshire. They produce 60 percent of the UK’s carbon dioxide, which is used across the drinks and meat industries, as well in the production of dry ice, used to keep food fresh for storage and transportation.

“The UK urgently needs to secure its domestic green energy supplies, and in doing so can make a major contribution to achieving its net zero target.”

ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MATERIALS PROCESSING INSTITUTE

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Douglas 01325 363 436

Photo caption: Chris McDonald

Notes to editors:

Materials Processing Institute

The Materials Processing Institute is a research and innovation centre serving global steel and materials organisations that work in advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy and digital technologies.

The Institute has served as the UK’s national steel innovation centre since 1944 having been set up by Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime government just before D-Day to equip the British steel industry for post-war reconstruction. It celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2019.

Through collaboration with its customers, the Institute provides a range of technology and R&D based services and consultancy. It also has pilot and demonstration facilities and an SME Technology Centre to support supply chain businesses with the development of new technologies and products.

Works with: steel, metals and alloys, chemical processes, aerospace and defence, energy, mining and quarrying, construction, rail, transport, and infrastructure, offshore, subsea, and nuclear.

The Materials Processing Institute includes developments funded through Tees Valley Combined Authority, through the Local Growth Fund (Growth Deal).