NECA teams up with Hitachi to tackle green energy
The Japanese industrial and technology conglomerate and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness have signed a pair of international agreements aimed at accelerating the region’s transition to low-carbon transport and cementing the Port of Tyne’s position as an emerging clean-energy hub.
The accords, concluded in Tokyo on Wednesday, bring together the Japanese industrial group’s global capabilities in mobility and energy with the North East’s strategy to modernise public transport and stimulate green economic growth.
Under the first agreement, Hitachi will back the mayor’s pledge to convert the region’s entire bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles within the next decade.
The company is expected to deploy its expertise in advanced propulsion and charging systems, promising improved reliability and lower emissions across local services.
With the region designated as the UK’s first AI Growth Zone, the partnership will also examine how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen digital monitoring of transport assets and infrastructure.
Hitachi and the North East Combined Authority will assess the potential of the company’s HMAX solutions to support predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.
A second agreement focuses on green jobs and maritime decarbonisation.
Hitachi will collaborate with the North East Combined Authority and the Port of Tyne on plans to develop a ‘smart port of the future’, centred on a proposed clean e-fuels hub.
The parties will study the feasibility of producing and deploying e-fuels on site to cut emissions from shipping and enhance the region’s competitiveness.
Further co-operation will extend to innovation projects, clean-energy infrastructure and workforce development.
The initiatives build on a shared ambition among Hitachi, the Port of Tyne and regional leaders to position the North East at the forefront of sustainable transport and energy transition.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Japan’s investment in North East England continues and I’m pleased to be meeting the senior leadership team of Hitachi and signing two new agreements which will see Hitachi back our plans to transform buses in the North East and boost our clean energy sector.
“We know the Hitachi team well and continue to support the team at the factory in Newton Aycliffe.
“These new agreements will see us work even more closely in the future, so that our region is able to tap into global best practice and learn from other projects and systems to create a truly world-class transport system which puts the needs of passengers first.
“Hitachi’s leadership in sustainable mobility and green energy will be invaluable as we deliver on our vision for a cleaner, fairer transport system.
“We have big plans for our region’s public transport and I’m determined to transform our transport, bringing buses back into public control and upgrading buses across the region so passengers will be able to see a fully electric fleet within a decade.
“To make this a reality, we need to work closely with partners like Hitachi to ensure we learn what has worked well elsewhere in the world and how we might take advantage of the tech in the North East.
“We’re also looking at a new e-fuels hub at Port of Tyne which will help to massively reduce carbon emissions.
“The North East is the home of the green energy revolution and I’m delighted to be working closely with Hitachi and Port of Tyne to drive further growth in the clean energy sector, which could create up to 200 new jobs in our region.”
Andrew Barr, President of Hitachi Europe, said: “Hitachi is proud to partner with the North East, Port of Tyne and Mayor Kim McGuinness on these important initiatives.
“Across Europe and around the world, we’re using our strengths in sustainable mobility and clean energy to help cities and regions tackle their biggest challenges – from decarbonising transport to creating the green jobs of the future.
“Working closely with forward-thinking local governments like the North East Mayoral Combined Authority allows us to combine global expertise with local ambition.
“Public-private partnership and knowledge sharing is how we believe devolution will deliver tangible benefits in the region, while also taking a regional approach to Industrial Strategy.
“This collaboration reflects the spirit of True One Hitachi – combining our capabilities across energy, mobility, and digital technologies through our Strategic Social Innovation Business Unit to deliver innovative solutions that make transport greener, energy cleaner, and communities stronger.”
Matt Beeton, chief executive of the Port of Tyne welcomed the MoU as the first step in creating a new clean e-fuels site, saying: “Today’s agreement strengthens Port of Tyne’s position as a leader in low-carbon logistics, combining Hitachi’s global expertise with our ambition for a world-class hub for passengers and freight.
“It is a decisive step towards creating the UK’s first zero-emissions port, powered by smart technology and green innovation, driving new investment and sustainable growth for the region.”
