Mid and East Antrim Borough Council: Leading Northern Ireland’s cleantech revolution

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is leading the charge in clean technology development across Northern Ireland, placing innovation, sustainability and economic growth at the heart of its vision for the future.

Central to this ambition is the i4C Innovation and CleanTech Centre, a landmark £24 million project being delivered as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. Situated at the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena and close to world-leading global zero emission vehicle manufacturer, Wrightbus the centre will act as a catalyst for clean energy innovation, supporting businesses to develop and scale cutting-edge technologies.

Once completed, i4C will provide specialist workspaces and collaboration opportunities as well as access to the resources required to drive green growth across the region. This state-of-the-art hub is set to transform how businesses in Mid and East Antrim engage with clean technology – attracting investment, fostering partnerships and creating high-value jobs. With the design team now appointed and plans progressing at pace, the i4C Centre represents a bold step towards a more sustainable, competitive economy and signals the Council’s long-term commitment to low-carbon innovation and environmental responsibility.

Alongside this, Council is advancing its HyTech NI project – a £15 million hydrogen innovation project in collaboration with QUB and Ulster University focused on developing the skills, infrastructure and industrial capability needed to power Northern Ireland’s hydrogen economy. While still in early stages, HyTech NI has brought together industry leaders to explore how hydrogen can deliver cleaner energy solutions and support long-term decarbonisation. The initiative is expected to play a key role in establishing the region as a credible leader in hydrogen expertise.

These flagship initiatives build on the strong foundation of Council’s Manufacturing Task Force, which has driven collaboration across local industry since 2018 by connecting some 50+ manufacturers with government, academia and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation and supporting the transition to net zero via the public and private sector funded CleanTech Collaborative Growth Network, the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Complementing these larger programmes is MEANZ Business, a two-year project supported by Innovate UK to help local SMEs reduce their carbon footprint. Through peer learning, expert guidance and tailored tools, MEANZ Business is supporting companies on their decarbonisation journey and encouraging more sustainable business practices.

In parallel, the multi-award-winning Hydrogen Training Academy is equipping the local workforce with practical skills aligned to emerging clean energy sectors, helping to close the capability gap and prepare for future demand.

By combining investment, innovation and collaboration, Mid and East Antrim is shaping a cleaner, greener economy. From advanced clean tech infrastructure to workforce development, the borough is positioning itself at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s sustainable transformation – and building a legacy of inclusive, low-carbon growth.

For more information email invest@midandeastantrim.gov.uk