Welcome for Gateshead Energy Plant

Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition in Gateshead, Jonathan Wallace, has welcomed the news that the Gateshead Energy Centre will be open for business shortly. Cllr Wallace's comments were made following a visit to the plant in central Gateshead recently.

The move by Gateshead Council to create an energy company and generate heat and electricity came about after Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government changed the law that prevented councils from setting up and running their own energy providers.

"The plant will generate electricity and hot water which will be pumped to other buildings in central Gateshead," said Jonathan. "Older power stations don't use the hot water from the electricity generating process. It is simply thrown away. In Gateshead it will be used to heat businesses, public buildings and people's homes.

"The profit will come back to Gateshead Council to support local services. We need to look now at how to set up similar plants elsewhere in Gateshead and to look at how renewable fuels can be used to generate power."