A KEY business figure in the Tees Valley has said that the area is showing increased commitment to becoming a major centre for the renewable energy and recycling industries.

Doctor Dermot Roddy, the chief executive of Renew Tees Valley, which is driving many of the projects, made his comments following the company's first New Opportunities roadshow and the success of recent seminars organised as part of an EU-backed project involving Stockton Borough Council.

He said: "The success of these events shows a very encouraging awareness that our area is ideally placed for what is now one of the faster growing business sectors."

Renew Tees Valley - which was set up with support from agencies including regional development agency One NorthEast, the Tees Valley Partnership and the area's local authorities, led by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council - is planning further events.

Dr Roddy said: "One of the most encouraging aspects of our first roadshow in Redcar was the level of interest in exactly what is happening on so many different fronts across the Tees Valley, everything from hydrogen fuel cell technology and biofuel plants to windpower and the increasing demand for recycling services.

"The opportunities in the recycling field were also underlined at the recent event in Stockton, organised as part of the European Interreg programme and designed to promote international co-operation in developing initiatives to turn waste products into valuable resources and income.

"I believe that in the next few months the level of interest and activity will increase rapidly and Renew Tees Valley will be playing a central role."

Published: 08/06/2004