Today, Martin Lawlor OBE, CEO of Port of Blyth and Chair of Energy Central Campus (ECC), joined partners and local representatives to celebrate a major milestone with the official groundbreaking of the £25m Energy Central Institute (ECI) in Blyth town centre.
The ceremony marks the start of the second phase of Energy Central Campus, a partnership between Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, focused on developing the skills and talent needed to support the growing clean energy sector.
Martin, Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, and Ian Lavery, MP for Blyth and Ashington, were among the first to put spades in the ground, alongside learners representing the future talent set to benefit from the new facility.
The ECI builds on the success of the first phase of ECC, the Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH), which has welcomed more than 7,000 learners since opening in 2024. The Institute will bring higher-level education, research and technological innovation to Blyth for the first time.
Being constructed by Kier and expected to open in late 2027, the Institute will create new opportunities for collaboration between ECC, energy businesses, ORE Catapult, Newcastle University and Durham University.
Martin Lawlor OBE, CEO of Port of Blyth and Chair of ECC, said:
“Today’s groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for ECC and Blyth. We have a wealth of opportunity on our doorstep, with businesses, projects and investment driving the growth of the clean energy sector across the region. ECC was established to ensure local people can access those opportunities, while giving businesses the skilled workforce they need to grow.
“The success of the ECLH has shown what can be achieved when industry, education and the community work together, and the ECI will take that ambition a step further. By creating a clear pathway from early STEM engagement through to degree and PhD level, right here in Blyth, we can help more people build the skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities on their doorstep and build successful careers in the sector.”
