Thames Freeport has opened for business and will strive to “turbocharge” the region’s green energy credentials.
The freeport, which opened on 15 December, is set to serve as a world class hub of innovation and will aim to put the region at the forefront of the sectors of the future, with significant investment set to be made in hydrogen technology, battery storage and electric vehicles. It is estimated the freeport will draw in £4.5bn of new investment and create 21,000 skilled jobs, helping to bring greater prosperity to some of the country’s most deprived communities through serving as a global gateway for trade.
A Thames Freeport Skills Accelerator has also been launched to bring industry together with local schools, colleges and universities to provide training and job opportunities, enabling local people to gain the skills that they need and secure employment.
The freeport covers a 34km-wide economic corridor and has been supported by a share of £200mn government funding and tax incentives.
