Policy & Regulation
UTILITY WEEK | 31ST JANUARY - 6TH FEBRUARY 2020 |
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delivering the transition to net zero carbon, and sell
that to the world. Because I think, eventually, they will
all have to get on board with it.
"Just because not everyone globally is making the
right noises. I think personally that's an opportunity
for the UK to step forward."
Regional dividends
Strategic regional investments in places such as Hull
can work on several levels.
Not only does it bring clean energy solutions to
areas that may have traditionally been big polluters, it
offers important skills to the local workforce.
How optimistic is Ennis that more of this develop-
ment will happen and that the collaboration he talks
about will come through?
"As a businessman of a large organisation in the
UK, it would be an issue if I wasn't – I am by nature an
optimist.
"I would say, though, that there are also some good
examples that show this happening, such as all the
activities in Manchester and the Northern Powerhouse
Partnership. And also in the South East, with the trans-
port system in London.
"In all my conversations with local players, whether
they be an LEP or a council, they are starting to realise
the next step is required and that they are party to that.
"I think the mayors, given the right powers, are
the people who are best placed to act as the co-
ordinators in the city regions to deliver on this.
"So I am optimistic, and it's not blind opti-
mism. It is on the back of seeing progress in
the deployment of powers to local mayors, and
I am hopeful that will continue.
"I am buoyed up by the strength of voice
that the Northern Powerhouse has had on the
topic. And that the NP11 are all starting to talk the
same language.
"And that's giving me hope that it is possible
to coalesce around the mayoral role and allow co-
operation to happen to unlock investment that's being
talked about."
Changing scene
Yet, I ask, surely such
regional repositioning
would disrupt the
continued overleaf
