The appointment of a new Inward Investment Director by the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA) will create significant investment opportunities for the energy industry in the two counties.
James Gray started work this month for the alliance, which is a partnership between Suffolk County Council, Norfolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council and Waveney District Council. From the business community, the partnership includes the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and Chamber of Commerce.
The NSEA aims to maximise investment in Norfolk and Suffolk by winning a sizeable share of the anticipated growth in the UK’s energy sector. The benefits will include creating jobs, bringing in new business for local employers and increasing opportunities for innovation and partnership working.
James said: “I am really looking forward to capitalising on what is probably the single largest investment opportunity for the two counties. The significant potential of offshore wind is just one aspect of the energy industry, which in itself is part of an overall investment plan of over £50billion for the UK. I am confident that Norfolk and Suffolk can play a pivotal role in this growing market and want to ensure that this area achieves its considerable potential in coming years.”
The new post will be responsible for leading the work in Norfolk and Suffolk as well as liaising closely with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), who are marketing the UK’s potential to investors around the world and supporting UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets.
Cllr Ann Steward, Chair of the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance and Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development s aid: “The energy sector presents one of our best opportunities for delivering major investment into Norfolk and Suffolk and it is also the top priority for the Local Enterprise Partnership. This is why we’ve taken such a bold step – a clear demonstration of our commitment to delivering real, high quality jobs and investment”.
Alan Barlow, Executive Chairman, EEEGR, said: “This is an innovative approach of collaboration between the public and private sectors and across county and local authority boundaries. It puts Norfolk and Suffolk, and Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth particularly, on the front foot for securing more than its fair share of the huge opportunities in the energy sector over the coming years.”
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Source: eeegr, August 10, 2011