Invest Milton Keynes has issued a statement outlining the area’s strengths which it has sent to business leaders, universities and economic partnerships within the arc. A comprehensive report presenting the bid will be submitted to government later this month.
The statement argues that the area has the economic and physical infrastructure required to house the ETI and describes the arc as an area tackling national and global energy challenges in a way which generates wealth for the UK.
O2C arc director Nicolas Miles said: “The O2C arc is one of the pre-eminent areas of research and innovation in the UK and an area of vibrant economic activity. We believe that the ETI would thrive embedded in the established and successful knowledge-based community of the area.”
The campaign has the backing of the world-class universities within the arc, including the Open University and Cranfield. Invest Milton Keynes director of investment Grant Seeley said: “We have also introduced the entrepreneurial business community and several regional development agencies to our vision as we will need their support to forge strong relationships with the ETI.”
O2C believes that the case for basing the ETI in Milton Keynes is a strong one. The city is implementing a carbon neutral development plan and all construction schemes now achieve the National Home Energy Rating of 10.0 and reach the Building Research Establish-ment’s Environmental Assess-ment Method level of ‘Excellent’. Milton Keynes is also home to the National Energy Foundation.
A decision on the location for the ETI is expected this year.
Pictured: The National Energy Centre in Milton Keynes
