The Repowering the Black Country Project closed with a major announcement that the project will continue its work under the new umbrella of the Black Country Industrial Cluster.
The Repowering the Black Country Project ended this month with a final event attended by the Mayor and leaders from across Black Country business at the National Metalforming Centre in West Bromwich, but the major announcement of the day was that the project will continue its work under the new umbrella of the Black Country Industrial Cluster.
The Black Country Industrial Cluster is a non-profit company limited by guarantee and owned and controlled by its members. Membership is open to all Black Country businesses and gives access to a wide range of events and information as well as discounted and free energy assessments.
The new cluster company will also pick up the work programme of the West Midlands Industrial Energy Taskforce established by the Mayor and Energy Minister in response the energy cost crisis and due to complete its work and report in June 2023.
Over the three years of its existence, Repowering developed masterplans for six net zero hubs across the Black Country and won £25M in funding for energy assessments and grants to businesses across the West Midlands. The project also gained insight into national industrial decarbonisation policy and opportunities in the Circular Economy, working with the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick, and became one of only seven industrial clusters in the UK recognised by government. Visits from the Energy Minister, Secretary of State and Chief Executive of Ofgem all raised the profile of this region with government and increased the likelihood of sensible policy outcomes and more funding for the region.
Excellent relationships with government are mirrored in ongoing work with both gas and electricity network companies; industrial energy suppliers and brokers; and sister industrial clusters across the whole of the UK. These will all be retained and grown through the work of the Black Country Industrial Cluster.
Apply to become a member of the Black Country Industrial Cluster.