Regional Energy Cluster
Blackpool is located at the heart of a diverse regional energy cluster, incorporating nuclear, gas, offshore renewables and energy brokerage capabilities.
Cross-Sector Energy Capabilities
Nuclear energy
Centrally situated on the UK’s nuclear coast, Blackpool is the ideal location for growing nuclear supply chain businesses. The town is home to Westinghouse (nuclear fuel manufacturing) and the National Nuclear Laboratory, which undertakes nuclear research and development including fuel design and manufacture.
Gas
Blackpool is at the forefront of gas exploration in the UK. The sector’s development presents potential growth opportunities for supply chain companies in specialist areas including infrastructure installation, horizontal drilling technologies, surveying and monitoring, production of fracturing fluids, waste treatment and transportation, and pipework installation.
Offshore renewables
Situated midway between the O&M centres of Morecambe and Liverpool, Blackpool is the ideal location for companies serving the offshore renewables sector in the Irish Sea. Ørsted, NVH (offshore helicopters) and HeliSpeed (offshore aviation specialists) have operations in the area, and potential growth opportunities exist for companies specialising in manufacture and construction (e.g. arrays, cabling and substations), remote inspection and repair, and ancillary services.
A large, skilled technical workforce
Blackpool’s 40-minute catchment area provides access to a large pool of the skilled technical and engineering personnel required by businesses operating across all energy sectors.
Excellence in engineering education and research
Blackpool’s established skills base is supported by further education focused on energy sector needs (such as the award-winning Blackpool & The Fylde College’s Energy HQ), and by regional universities delivering world-class education and research in engineering and manufacturing disciplines.
Enterprise zone property solutions
The Blackpool area is home to two Enterprise Zones (Hillhouse and Blackpool Airport) focused on advanced technology and energy sectors. Investing businesses can benefit from incentives including business rates discounts, enhanced capital allowances and simplified planning, helping them to save money and minimise project risk.
Significant cost savings for businesses
Blackpool’s compelling business location offer is completed by a highly competitive cost base. The area’s labour costs are significantly lower than the national averages, while industrial rents are amongst the lowest for England’s industrial Enterprise Zone locations.
Our skilled workforce
24,000
Process Plant and Machine Operative Workers
17,700
Science, Research, Engineering and Technology Professionals
13,300
Advanced Manufacturing Workers
Find out more
Find out more about how Blackpool Makes it Work in Regional Energy by downloading our location guide.
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