OXFORD University is taking a lead role in a new research centre which will develop expertise focusing on addressing the UK’s energy challenges.

The UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand was announced on Monday by Claire Perry, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth.

Funded with £19.5m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, it will be led by the Prof Nick Eyre, at the university, and bring together a large group of researchers.

The centre will look to lead research on energy demand in the UK and champion research that supports the transition to an affordable low carbon energy system.

Prof Eyre said: “The goals of a secure, affordable, low carbon energy system are only achievable if energy demand is reduced, decarbonised and made more flexible.

“Understanding how these changes can happen is a major inter-disciplinary research challenge.

“The UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand gives us a major opportunity to address this challenge, building on existing excellent UK research.

“We aim to play a leading role in global research, and for the centre to act as a hub, enabling all UK energy demand research to have more coordinated impact on business and policy decisions.”

The centre involves over 40 academics at 13 institutions, which include Reading University and University College London.