Energy Minister Michael Shanks is to speak at our Southern North Sea conference next month and meet businesses from across the sector.
Today we can announce that we have secured the minister to deliver the keynote speech at SNS2026 – The Next 25 Years on Wednesday May 20 at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich..
Mr Shanks’ attendance reflects the region’s growing national importance to the UK energy supply and security and follows sustained engagement between government and industry led by EEEGR.
Mr Shanks will open our two-day Southern North Sea Conference (SNS2026) in the plenary session.
In the past 18 months, EEEGR has worked tirelessly to engage with senior national stakeholders making major strides, to ensure the East of England is recognised at the highest levels of government.
We have brought leading figures directly to the region to witness its capabilities first-hand, including welcoming Rob Gilbert from Great British Energy to last year’s SNS conference, and contributed directly to national policy discussions by our representation through chair Kevin Keable on the North Sea Future Board. Last September, we facilitated a visit by MPs to Bacton with our members to show its potential as a energy hub for CCS and hydrogen.
We are delighted to welcome Rob Gilbert back to this year’s event.
Kevin Keable said today: “The East of England is a world-leading energy region, combining offshore wind, nuclear and a gas heritage stretching back more than six decades. Around a third of the UK’s gas comes ashore at Bacton, with plans progressing to develop a major energy hub focused on carbon capture and hydrogen.
“With major projects, including the £38 billion Sizewell C development and life extension plans for Sizewell B, alongside significant offshore wind deployment and a strong project pipeline, the region is already delivering energy at scale and is well positioned for future growth.”
“By bringing GB Energy into the region last year, strengthening our engagement with policymakers and contributing directly through the North Sea Future Board, we have been clear and consistent in demonstrating both the scale of the opportunity and our readiness to deliver.
“This is about more than energy. It is about jobs, skills and building a globally competitive supply chain that delivers long-term economic growth.
“We look forward to welcoming Michael Shanks and demonstrating how our integrated mix of assets, expertise and project pipeline provides a practical, investable solution to UK energy security and why this region must be central to government plans.
“SNS is not just our flagship event. It represents what this region does best: a fully integrated energy system, a coordinated supply chain and a single, confident voice capable of helping to deliver the UK’s energy future at pace and scale.”