Business Secretary Vince Cable has lavished praise on the efforts of companies in the North East in making a difference to the UK’s low carbon economy.

Mr Cable said Government would work with industry: “As part of the transition to a low carbon economy we need to ensure that energy intensive industries remain competitive and that we send a clear message that the UK is open for business.

“The North East is well placed to capitalise with the National Renewable Energy Centre based in Blyth while Nissan are investing £420 million to build a battery plant and electric car production in Sunderland, securing and creating over 550 jobs.

The Business Secretary visited Applied Superconductor, a company with a renewable energy device that claims to be able to save the energy industry over £600 million in reduced capital costs cutting carbon emissions by 37 million tonnes by 2020.

He said: “The number of renewable energy sources is growing rapidly throughout the country, and Applied Superconductor Ltd is at the cutting edge of the technology that will maximize the energy contribution made by renewables, saving energy companies money.”