The Midlands Consortium has beaten off strong regional competition to be chosen as host for a £1 billion national energy technologies institute to develop cleaner energies. The consortium is made up from the universities of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham – backed in an example of close cross-border collaboration, by financial support from both East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Advantage West Midlands. The new Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is being established to speed up the deployment of new low-carbon energy technologies, including the efficient production and use of energy, in support of the UK’s energy and climate change goals. It will also provide a strategic focus for national research and development in energy technologies and promote international collaborationon technology. Bids to host the Institute were judged on energy research capability, reputation and culture; space, facilities and accessibility; and commitment to the ETI. A shortlist of three - comprising the Midlands Consortium and groups based in the North East and Scotland - was announced in August from an initial 28 applications. The ETI is expected to be fully operational by 2008 and will be jointly funded by Government and industry bringing together some of the world’s biggest companies – BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.ON UK, Rolls-Royce and Shell. Dr Bryan Jackson, chairman of emda, commented: “emda is delighted that ETI has recognised the industrial strengths in this region. This strong proposition of global business at the forefront of the global energy sector combined with the international success of our universities is a winning combination.” Professor Sir Colin Campbell, vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham, added: “ The choice of the Midlands Consortium is a measure of the quality and attractiveness of our intellectual capital at The University of Nottingham, and at Birmingham and Loughborough. It also recognises our many successful collaborations, and our close and hugely-valued partnerships with those leading regional economic development. Most importantly, it will allow us to make the most of our shared determination to help secure the well-being of future generations through our science and innovation.” The hub of the ETI will be based at Loughborough University, on the Holywell Park area of the campus, at the heart of the University’s Science and Enterprise Park, and brings with it up to 50 new jobs in the region. Professor Shirley Pearce, Loughborough University’s Vice Chancellor, said the hub will be ideally situated at Holywell Park. “We already have a concentration of low-carbon and energy research and development activities based at the University’s Science and Enterprise Park. Locating the hub on this site will allow the Consortium to maximise the effective working of the ETI.” Professor Michael Sterling, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Birmingham, said: ‘We are delighted that the Midlands Consortium has won the bid to host the Energy Technologies Institute. At Birmingham we have a proud heritage in science and engineering and our large scale Institute for Energy Research and Policy will make a real contribution to the work of the consortium.” Advantage West Midlands’ Director of Innovation, Dr Philip Extance, added: “Advantage West Midlands is delighted to support this strong collaboration of the three universities across the East and West Midlands. The location of the ETI hub in the Midlands pays testament not only to their research strength but also to the potential strength of firms in the regions to exploit the technology that is developed.”