Work on cutting edge further education centre to start later this year

Construction firm WSP has announced it will be the project manager of the new Energy Central Institute in Blyth. The higher level skills site will provide training for residents to work in the town’s emerging clean energy sector.

It is the second phase of the Energy Central Campus project following the Energy Central Hub, which welcomed its first pupils last year. Major universities including Durham and Newcastle have already signed up to collaborate with the site alongside large employers.

Stephen Graham, Technical Director at WSP, said: “This project represents far more than a new building — it’s a signal of Blyth’s ambition to lead in clean energy, skills development, and innovation.

“We’re proud to support a scheme that invests in people, future industry, and the vibrancy of the town itself. By combining our expertise in placemaking and net zero delivery, we’re helping to create a flexible and inclusive facility that will have a lasting impact on the local community and economy.” 

WSP will act as Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Principal Designer CDM, and provide Civil & Structural and M&E engineering services. The project reflects WSP’s proven expertise in designing and delivering sustainable, net zero operational educational and research facilities.

The scheme is being delivered in collaboration with GSSArchitecture as lead architect, DPP as planning consultant, and Colour as landscape architect, supported by a wider team including transport, acoustic, and fire engineering specialists. 

The scheme was approved by Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee two weeks ago. It will be built on the site of the former Keel Row shopping centre, which was controversially demolished after former owners Northumberland Estates closed the centre down and sold the site to the council.

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 Simon Rennison-Rae, Partner, GSSArchitecture: “It’s amazing news that Blyth ECI has been approved at committee this week, well done to the whole team involved.

“The project shows the continued investment and ambition of Advance Northumberland and Northumberland County Council and is the next step in the wider Energising Blyth project. GSS have been involved in this project from its inception, and it builds upon our understanding of the clean energy, research, innovation and education sectors as well as the cross over between industry and academia and the benefits this can bring.” 

The Newcastle-based architectural firm’s design includes a flexible theatre, teaching and research spaces, offices, a community café, and a double-height atrium. The firm say the layout is “designed to maximise collaboration between research and commercial ventures while achieving low carbon in operation”.

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