EEEGR: Energy Industry Key to East Anglian Powerhouse

The East of England’s unique all-energy coast is key to the East Anglian powerhouse alongside new technology and science, the Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis told energy leaders at the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) annual general meeting.

“The opportunities are here – in decommissioning in the Southern North Sea offshore wind and nuclear. There is so much going on here,” he said.

He was lobbying for recognition of an East of England ‘powerhouse’ alongside the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, he said.

“One of the challenges for Peter Aldous (Waveney MP) and me is to show Westminster just how much is happening here.”

But he warned EEEGR members from the oil and gas, offshore wind and nuclear industries not to expect announcement of any government energy policy until the New Year following the Spending Review. In particular, the offshore wind industry would have to wait for an announcement of the next round of the funding mechanism Contracts for Difference, originally planned for this month, for post Round Three wind farms. But he stressed the Government’s commitment to a diverse energy policy.

“We will have to be a bit more patient waiting for Contracts for Difference.

“We have a Spending Review which may have implications. By the time we get to Christmas, the picture will be much clearer. We are determined to have a very secure energy industry going forward.”

“I am personally very supportive of offshore wind. It has huge opportunities for us in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. We had good news with the Contracts for Difference for East Anglia One (in February) and I know people are waiting to see what will happen with the next round of Contracts for Difference.”

For growth and opportunity going forward, investment in the A47 was essential, Lewis said. He would be pushing for work to start on the Vauxhall roundabout at Great Yarmouth in 2016 and not in 2019, the current proposed scheduled date.

“I am still pushing for 2016 start. I don’t know why we should wait until 2019. We have to put pressure on the Highways Agency for 2016.

“Once we get the Vauxhall roundabout sorted out, then we can make wider case for the Acle Straight or a third river crossing.”

Lewis said that more than 200 people attending EEEGR’s Westminster reception in June had illustrated the strength of EEEGR and the East of England energy industry, he said.

“Business secretary Sajid Javid could not believe that EEEGR had filled the members’ dining room – normally only 20-30 people attend. EEEGR came with a clear message about what the East of England has to offer.”

Formally announced at the AGM, new EEEGR board chair Patrick Phelan took over from Mark Goodall, who stood down. Phelan thanked Mark for his efforts on behalf of the board of directors and presented him with a gift. New board members elected to the EEEGR board were Graham Hacon, of 3sun, and Michael Wilder, of Petans. In addition Mark Goodall, of Aker Solutions was re-elected on to the board.

EEEGR chief executive Simon Gray told the meeting, at Great Yarmouth’s Imperial Hotel said: “It has been a massive year of change with the publication of the Wood Review with SNS (southern North Sea) as one of its key priorities.

“The oil price falling from $100 to less than $50, uncertainty of Contracts for Difference award for offshore wind coupled with the uncertainty of political direction made it awkward for us to plan.”

EEEGR had re-energised its decommissioning Special Interest Group with the appointment of Julian Manning, of Baker Hughes, with a powerful new steering group. A new Marine SIG had been launched by Baroness Scott of Needham Market under the chairmanship of Richard Salisbury of Fugro.

“The North Sea is the most industrialised ocean in the world. What we are trying to do through the SIG is to provide more opportunities for our members.”

Skills for Energy developments included the announcement that the ECITB will continue in their support of the EEEGR Skills for Energy programme and the potential to expand the Energy Skills Foundation Programme, which runs at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Colleges to other prospective colleges in the region and beyond.

Gray also announced a new Careers Pathway guide to be launched at the Suffolk Skills show supported by EDF Energy.

Image: Conservative Party