By Clare Kinrade

Last updated at 13:55, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Plans to push forward the area’s economy, set out in the West Cumbria Economic Blueprint, have been praised by a Government minister.

Regeneration organisation Britain’s Energy Coast was congratulated for its strategy in helping to unlock the region’s economic potential.

The Blueprint document, launched last month, outlines projects and funding needed to capitalise on a potential £90 billion of investment in the local energy industry.

The strategy was welcomed by Charles Hendry, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, at a meeting of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum at Whitehall.

The forum was used to update Government on the progress being made by Britain’s Energy Coast.

In a letter to Tom Gilroy, acting chief executive of Britain’s Energy Coast, Mr Hendry said: “I am very encouraged by the progress that has been made in supporting economic development in west Cumbria.

“West Cumbria can be proud of what it has to offer and this blueprint sets out an approach, which would offer global leadership in energy.”

The goal, set out in the Blueprint, is for over 3,000 new jobs to be created as a result of the investment and a low carbon economy that exports skills and expertise across the world.

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk