PM welcomes energy boost for north-east jobs

20 April 2007

Tony Blair has welcomed to the UK an American energy firm which generates power by burning household waste in an environmentally-friendly way.

The PM joined the International Power Group at their announcement that the firm will create a "significant number of jobs" in the north-east where it will base its global operation.

The firm has developed new technology which increases the efficiency of the waste burning process.

It claims this can bring environmental benefits by reducing the use of fossil fuels and disposing of rubbish in a clean way.

• See our energy section

Mr Blair said energy policy was at the top of the agenda for world leaders.

Providing a green and stable source of energy was crucial, especially with states such as China and India developing huge appetites for power, he said. That made energy companies "the most exciting economic and industrial sector for the next few decades".

Mr Blair was thrilled the company was setting up a base at a venue to be announced later in the north-east.

"This is a fantastic technological opportunity for countries like ours in the future,'' he said.

• More about the International Power Group (opens in new window)