A Centre of Excellence

“We will be a hub for SME innovation and commercialisation activity and a springboard for the clean growth sector and industry.”

That’s the message from Graham Whitehurst MBE in relation to Mid and East Antrim’s proposed 8,000 sq m i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre to be established in Ballymena in 2025.

As chair of the Manufacturing Task Force, Graham is rebuilding confidence in the local manufacturing and engineering sectors focussing on sustaining existing jobs in the sector and creating new jobs utilising advanced manufacturing techniques and clean energy technology.

Plans for the new i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre – a major project progressing through the Belfast Region City Deal – are particularly exciting the former head of Michelin, NI and Wrightbus operations director, said.

“Innovation is key to underpinning our future economic growth,” he said. “Coupling that with the collaborative nature of i4C, we will be in a better position to seize economic opportunities through provision of support for skills training and education and ultimately provide an inclusive community resource to benefit all.”

Housed within the proposed i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre, is an iLAB workshop designed to provide a flexible combination of ‘makerspace’, ICT AR/VR suite, meeting and collaboration areas together with demonstration and training space with a primary focus on supports for the clean technology sector.

Graham said: “It will be a platform to enable low-cost access and support to local businesses and entrepreneurs to develop, test and commercialise their ideas using the latest technology with an emphasis on the innovation journey and ultimately lead to growth in higher value jobs in emerging sectors.

“Mid and East Antrim has key strengths and assets in energy and cleantech that align with zero carbon targets. This makes us a focal point of the emerging Northern Ireland wide hydrogen economy.”

With the region driving advancements it is clear our area has the credentials to support the transition to a green economy.

Mid and East Antrim is home to two major power stations at Kilroot and Ballylumford with a £600m planned investment by EPUKI in the assets and capability at its Kilroot site.

Playing its part in tackling climate change, Kilroot Energy Park aspires to help decarbonise the Northern Ireland power sector.

With the construction of a new gas pipeline to the site and recent success in capacity auctions, this will facilitate the replacement of the existing coal fired units with cleaner and more flexible ‘dispatchable’ generation, helping to ensure the transition towards lower carbon generation.

Kilroot’s own aspiration for a hydrogen facility will allow the option of producing renewable hydrogen gas, helping to ‘futureproof’ the energy park for when technology advancements allow the wider transition from gas to hydrogen. The resultant hydrogen produced also has the potential to be used on-site as well as by other consumers.

Ian Luney, commercial director of EP UK Investments, owner of Kilroot,” said: “EPUKI is at an exciting phase as we move forward with ambitious plans for our power stations in Northern Ireland, and particularly the Kilroot Energy Park”.

Graham added: “With various uses for hydrogen, such as electricity generation, hydrogen vehicle fuel or wider industrial use, investment in clean technology is a real sign of confidence in our workforce and will continue to level up our economy.

“Wrightbus and the RYZE Group are industry leaders in hydrogen transportation, and are being supported by over 60 local companies operating in the energy and ‘cleantech’ sectors. Already there’s that ripple effect across both the local and wider economies”.

Wrightbus has increased its workforce ahead of expected demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Safeguarding over 1,000 skilled jobs, it will also allow the company to create many more over the next decade.

“Plans for the development of the first Hydrogen Training Academy in Northern Ireland later this year will provide bespoke training to support our growth in the renewables sector,” Graham says.

Led by a public-private sector consortium, the academy will develop tailored entry level hydrogen training for up to 180 participants in its first year and continue to upskill the local workforce in the emerging hydrogen economy.

And our local SMEs already play a key role in the supply chain.

“The pandemic stressed the need for companies to diversify and augment their operating models and practices,” Graham says. “Part of this has been the rethinking of supply chains and procurement strategies and in recent months we have seen the BuySupplyNI portal play a key role in this regard.

“There’s a sizeable number of companies who already have the capability to make inroads with others on either side of the supply chain.”

Knox Electrical’s recent expansion is allowing the contractor to deliver installations for wind and solar farms in Scotland; local firm Neo Environmental’s specialist consultancy services are allowing it to drive demand; and leading electrical and mechanical engineering firm GES Group is bringing cheaper, cleaner and smarter energy to domestic customers through Project Girona, a pilot micro-grid testbed.

Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd is also playing a key role as part of a multi-million pound contract with an emerging transmission supplier specialising in electrified drivetrains for the automotive market. This contract will see Ryobi produce clutch and transmission cases for new hybrid vehicles commencing in 2023.

Agrifood businesses Moy Park, Cranswick and Dale Farm are leading the way in modernising their sustainability processes and practices and in the construction sector, Manufacturing Task Force companies like Moore Concrete are fully engaged on their zero carbon journey, while Graham Construction is working with CITB to develop the future skills for retrofitting homes and factories using modern methods of construction.

“Our continued focus on innovation and advancements in the areas where we have real strengths is allowing us to look to the future with positivity, excitement and the belief that there will be a significant impact on our towns, people and the Northern Ireland wider society as a result of what we are doing,” Graham says.

To learn more about the Manufacturing Task Force, contact invest@midandeastantrim.gov.uk, visit  www.investmideastantrim.com  follow on Twitter at @MTF_MEABC

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