David Warburton, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Somerton & Frome, has thrown his weight behind a campaign to establish the South West as one of the centres for UK energy development and innovation.
David has joined the campaign to bring the ‘Energy Systems Catapult’ to Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. The catapult, established by government innovation agency InnovateUK, will serve as centres for research and the development of new energy products and services, along with the transformation and improvement of energy networks.
David joins the campaign alongside a stellar list of business leaders and politicians from across the region including Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project, Jeremy Bungey, Head of Community Energy at E.ON, Tim Jones, chairman of Devon & Cornwall Business Council, Neil Murphy, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Richard Ayre, regional chairman Institute of Directors (South West). Political leaders backing the campaign include Exeter’s Ben Bradshaw MP, North Devon’s Nick Harvey MP, Dr Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes, Alison Seabeck MP for Plymouth Moor View, Oliver Colvile MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Stephen Gilbert MP for St Austell and Newport and Gary Streeter MP for South West Devon.
David explained, “The South West is without a doubt the best place for the Energy Systems Catapult. We’ve got high-tech industry, some of the best academic institutions in the country and world-leading test facilities. In addition, we’ve a workforce capable of ensuring the success of a project that is vital to the UK’s future energy provision.
“I very much hope the Government will show its commitment to business and innovation in the region, and build on the energy resources we already have.”
Supporters of the campaign recently sent a letter to Nick Winser CBE, chairman of the Catapult Scheme, and Science Minister Greg Clark MP calling for the Energy Systems Catapult to be located in the South West. A copy of the letter including the full list of supporters is attached. A decision on the location of the Energy Systems Catapult is expected before the end of March.