Newcastle’s Siemens Energy plant and its fantastic Tyneside history aren’t going anywhere

Walk down Shields Road in Byker just over 130 years ago and you might be blissfully unaware that at the C.A Parsons works (now Siemens Energy) the first ever steam turbine is being built.

Make that same journey 90 years later and you wouldn't think about a 16-year-old Steve Scrimshaw arriving for his first day of work.

Fast forward to the present and Steve is now CEO of Siemens Energy and overseeing a change that, just like the turbine in 1889, will be seen as pioneering in years to come.

After supplying the globe with infrastructure to capitalise on steam and gas energy for decades, the company is now pushing forwards with an energy transition that sees full steam ahead for sustainable energy.

On NewcastleWorld's visit to Siemens Energy, Steve speaks about how the UK Government's 2050 net-zero pledge is fast approaching - he points out that we've got around a billion seconds to replace the country's entire energy system and cut out emissions from trains, cars and planes... ambitious to say the least

Siemens Energy is playing a key role in leading that change, working with pioneering ideas such as green hydrogen.

The company uses the gas to power electricity units that run off the power grid, already sought after by the likes of BBC Winterwatch.

The only byproduct of that process is water - which, in some scenarios, is then re-used to wash the equipment.

To have such a large Newcastle site at the heart of that eco-minded change is fantastic news for the region.

As NewcastleWorld explores the Siemens Energy buildings we meet older staff members who have embraced the change, talking of their pride in being able to work on such projects from the North East.

Around another corner is a hoard of apprentices, just finished with a day's work.

Before careering out the door to make it in time for the Metro, the next generation speaks of their excitement to be involved and their positivity about going into an industry certain to thrive for decades to come.

Where many industries, such as the nearby Nestle factory in Fawdon, are being forced to close, what's clear is that Siemens Energy isn't going anywhere.

Steve said: " We've had a big workforce here over many years and a lot of our workforce has transitioned from their traditional skills into assembling these high capacity power units.

"They see it as a fantastic opportunity.

"I walked through the door when I was 16 years old and I've had a wonderful experience and career.

"I think they've had the same and they see this is a wonderful opportunity to diversify to new technology.

"We're very proud. It's a brilliant company. The capability and capacity always amaze me."