02/10/2026
Today, Martin Lawlor OBE, CEO of Port of Blyth and Chair of Energy Central Campus (ECC), joined partners and local representatives to celebrate a major milestone with the official groundbreaking of the £25m Energy Central Institute (ECI) in Blyth town centre.
The ceremony marks the start of the second phase of Energy Central Campus, a partnership between Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, focused on developing the skills and talent needed to support the growing clean energy sector.
The ECI is being constructed by Kier Group, project managed by Advance Northumberland, and will create opportunities for collaboration with ECC, energy businesses, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Newcastle University and Durham University, supporting the development of skills and talent for the growing clean energy sector.
Martin Lawlor OBE, CEO of Port of Blyth and Chair of ECC, said:
“Today’s groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for ECC and Blyth. We have a wealth of opportunity on our doorstep, with businesses, projects and investment driving the growth of the clean energy sector across the region. ECC was established to ensure local people can access those opportunities, while giving businesses the skilled workforce they need to grow.
“The success of the ECLH has shown what can be achieved when industry, education and the community work together, and the ECI will take that ambition a step further. By creating a clear pathway from early STEM engagement through to degree and PhD level, right here in Blyth, we can help more people build the skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities on their doorstep and build successful careers in the sector.”
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Today, Energy Central Campus (ECC) has reached a major milestone with the official groundbreaking of the £25m Energy Central Institute (ECI) in Blyth town centre. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of the second phase of ECC, building on its mission to develop the skills and talent needed