Centrica Energy's North and South Morecambe gas terminals at Rampside, some 3Km south east of Barrow-in-Furness, are one of Europe’s largest gas processing facilities. The first terminal commenced operation in 1983, and the second in 1994. In the mid 2000s a third terminal servicing the ‘Rivers’ field went on-stream. The terminals have capacity to process up to 15% of the UK’s gas requirements. A new gas compression facility adjacent to the south terminal is proposed by Stag Energy.

Energy Prospects in and around Furness

Furness Enterprise has recently submitted evidence to the UK Government's Energy Review setting out our views on future energy security of supply and development opotential. To see a copy click here.

Opportunities for new energy related investment in Furness and off the coast of the peninsula include:

• Gas processing: Landing new Irish Sea gas fields at Rampside as set out in Barrow Borough Local Plan policy A12 on page 2 - 24 of the Local Plan
• Underseabed gas storage for peak period use
• Offshore wind power generation
• Onshore wind power generation
• Wave power including current turbines
• Module fabrication,systems integration and floatout
• Waste to energy schemes 
• Onshore construction support and maintenance bases at the port of Barrow

• Natural Gas – We support further exploration and development for gas in the Irish Sea arising from DBERR’s February 2007  and May 2008 rounds of licencing. These will help reduce UK’s reliance on overseas imports and maximise the life of the gas processing assets at Barrow’s Rampside Terminals. New proposals for subsea storage facilities in Irish Sea salt cavities by Stag Energy and Centrica Energy could help safeguard strategic energy supplies for the UK. 

• Nuclear – We support development of new proposals for nuclear generating capacity within the UK and, where possible, utilisation of the skills and expertise that exists in Cumbria to design, test commission, build and operate nuclear powered electricity generating equipment.  We also support transfer of skills and expertise in design build and operation of defence related nuclear steam raising plant to the civil nuclear power industry  Rolls Royce and BAE SYSTEMS’ naval nuclear reactor expertise at Derby and Barrow is particularly important in this respect. Regional Development agencies should be required to identify opportunities for nuclear generation sites in their regional strategies.

• Grid Networks – We support reinforcement of grid networks where it will help realise new sources of energy generation.  In particular we would support new initiatives such as reinforcement of the South Cumbria onshore power line and an offshore cross Morecambe Bay link.  In 2001 the Lake District National Park Authority indicated to support for an up-rated, overhead line in Cumbria to accommodate new generation locations.

• Renewable Energy – we recognise this intermittent energy source contribution tothe potential energy mix able to give UK security of supply,we favour offshore wave/wind energy where it contributes to economic regeneration and energy needs in the locality of such developments.  By this we mean there should be active policies to require developers and their contractors to contribute to the socio-economic benefit of the area in which they operate, perhaps building on the principles enshrined in the way the nuclear decommissioning agency are required to operate. In the offshore renewable wind energy sector it is still difficult for UK firms to break into manufacture and design, as much equipment is sourced overseas.  DTI’s own study into the industry highlighted the threat that “the growing UK wind market being served by non UK wind turbine suppliers that locate sales offices only in the UK utilising their own manufacturing facilities” and of “overseas and manufacturers choosing to import turbines from existing factories to use spare capacity before investing in new facilities in the UK.” (DTI Renewables Supply Chain Gap Analysis, January 2004). In other countries there are examples of regions requiring developers to set up maintenance or production facilities and to benefit local economies.  We believe the UK should look at acquiring large scal wind farm developments to deliver potential economic benefits to the areas they are situated in.

• Skills for the energy industry - it is vitally important that the UK sustains its energy sector skills base and looks to build up its nuclear energy generation plant skills base. The Energy Challenge is as much about skills retention and development as securing energy supplies. We therefore support proposals for developing an indigenous industrial base in renewable energy and proposals for a national nuclear skills academy.  We drew attention earlier to the fact that Barrow has the only nuclear reactor assembly test and commissioning capability in the UK.  Locally we are actively involved in supporting initiatives aimed at influencing young people in the 13-18 age group to consider career opportunities including apprenticeships in the energy sector. We have helped Walney School secure major sponsorship by Centrica Energy for the school’s planned Engineering Status bid to the Department of Education.

•  Energy related employment - is important in the Furness Assisted Area sustaining many jobs.  We support measures designed to exploit the energy resources of the sub region and its coastline such as the gas processing assets at Barrow and in the Irish Sea.

To make a move to Furness with your energy development, call 01229 820611. To learn more about the discretionary grants potentially available to assist energy developments in Furness click here