Sectors
We’re at the centre.
With a well-established “all-energy” mix, including oil & gas, nuclear, and renewables (amongst other technologies), the region already plays host to a diverse and vibrant energy community.
We are ideally equipped to deliver on the government’s energy priorities, ensuring that energy remains secure and affordable in the UK as it transitions to a low-carbon economy.
The impact the industry has on our local economy is key:
Energy production and distribution supports more than 12,000 businesses in our region.
Employs around 85,000 people, growing by 14% since 2016.
Energy-related businesses generating turnovers of some £17 billion per year.
Forecasts suggest that, by 2050, a further £122 billion will be invested in energy production in the East of England.
Offshore Wind
The East of England is home to 44% of the UK’s existing offshore wind farms, producing more than 5GW of clean electricity with a further 6.7GW consented and 3GW planned.
Our shallow waters and fresh winds make our region an ideal area for renewable energy – and the biggest offshore wind market in the world. The Offshore Wind Industry Council estimates 100,000 jobs across the UK by 2030 [1]. A robust, flexible and ambitious supply chain has grown, while skills provision by employers and colleges has created an adaptable mobile workforce that can move from project to project.
Oil & Gas
Employs an estimated 195,000 in the UK.
The East of England has been an established national hub for the offshore Oil & Gas industry for more than 50 years. It is a base for national and international businesses, with a strong local workforce and vast experience, stretching back to the 1960s.
The region’s Oil & Gas industry employs an estimated 195,000 in the UK according to OEUK, with the East of England employing around 7% of that figure[1].
Learn more about our SNS Gas Transition.
Wave & Tidal
A global leader in marine energy, the UK has more wave and tidal stream devices installed than the rest of the world combined. In fact, the UK has around 50% of Europe’s tidal energy resource[1] and currently has 137MW in operations or under various stages of development.
According to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the UK’s tidal stream industry could generate a cumulative benefit to the UK of £1.4 billion by 2030, with the potential to support nearly 4,000 jobs [2]. Modelling from the Catapult shows that, by 2040, this could grow to 22,600 jobs supported by the sector by 2040.
22,600 sector
jobs supported
by 2040.
“The East of England Energy Group is the single most important organisation acting for and on behalf of members, the local business community, the supply chain, and energy operators in the East of England.“
– Paul Thomson, Managing Director, Sembmarine SLP Ltd
Nuclear
Ambition
of producing
24GW by 2050.
With government’s ambitions for new nuclear in the UK, significant acceleration in the sector will be seen in the coming decades with an ambition of producing 24GW from nuclear by 2050.
In 2022, the Sizewell C [1] project was granted consent. EDF Energy already operate Sizewell B in the region, producing 1.2 GW of low-carbon energy and employing almost 600 staff and a further 250 contracting partners, with work on the project anticipated to begin within the next two years.
Reuse & Decommissioning
Many of the structures producing Oil & Gas have a limited lifespan of around 25-40 years, and an increasing number are due to be taken out of service.
Decommissioning of existing North Sea Oil & Gas facilities is projected to cost £24-36bn over the next 30 years, a fruitful field for specialist companies in the region. Scores of platforms need to be removed, hundreds of wells will be plugged, and thousands of kilometres of pipeline decommissioned.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
The Southern North Sea boasts numerous opportunities for CCUS, with many depleted gas fields and the saline aquifer of the Bunter Sandstone formation, easily accessible from the East of England coastline.
Many of the UK offshore oil and gas fields still have their platforms in place, which can be modified for CO2 storage, at a fraction of the cost of building and installing new facilities. The development of CO2 pipeline networks and their ongoing management is set to become a major international business opportunity for specialists in this region.
Energy Transmission & Storage, Network
Distribution & Community Generation
As we transition towards a low carbon economy, we are witnessing a dramatic change in the way energy is being produced and transmitted to consumers. The model is moving away from a small number of energy generation points, to one where energy could be generated and stored in local communities. These small and micro generators are then supported by large generators such as nuclear, gas turbine and offshore wind farms. This is leading to major changes in the way energy will be stored and transmitted resulting in considerable investment in our network infrastructure.
