UK: New Chairman Excited by Energy Challenge for Suffolk and Norfolk

Bruce Provan is the new chairman of the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA), a group created to provide a unified approach to bringing more investment into the region’s energy industry.

And he believes they have invaluable work to do over the next few years, particularly as the offshore wind sector gathers momentum.

”We don’t want potential investors to the region facing a variety of councils with different ideas and approaches. NSEA is an example of how Norfolk and Suffolk, Lowestoft and Yarmouth, and North Norfolk, can all work closely together,” he said.

”There are massive wind farms on the way and in a couple of years there will be major contracts to be won. That’s when the action starts – and we will see the benefits of the brand we have built as the East of England Energy Zone (EEEZ).”

 ”As a group, we need to impress on the industry and the Government the critical importance of the EEEZ to meet the nation’s energy needs with its unique combination of assets.”

Mr Provan, who represents Waveney District Council on NSEA – and has been a member since its formation – said it was already exciting to watch the workboats and helicopters moving in and out of Lowestoft to support the Greater Gabbard wind farm.

He worked for 30 years in the oil & gas sector with Shell in Holland, Aberdeen and London before arriving at Lowestoft. So he is also well aware of the significant opportunities for the region’s economy from the continuing North Sea gas sector as well as the pending Sizewell C nuclear power station.

 ”It shows the wealth of resources in the EEEZ which is being well aired by our inward investment director James Gray and it’s great that public bodies can pursue it together.

 ”For example, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft ports have excellent complementary facilities capable of supporting the construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) phases of wind farms off our coast, as they have done already at Sheringham Shoal, Lincs and Greater Gabbard. Indeed, Lowestoft is the operating base for Greater Gabbard as Wells is for Sheringham Shoal.”

NSEA incorporates the county councils and chambers of commerce from both counties, Waveney District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, New Anglia LEP, and EEEGR, the East of England Energy Group.

Press release, August 30, 2013; Image: theenergyzone