The East of England Energy Zone development programme has been put in the place as delegations have been working to raise the profile of the region both in the UK and internationally, according to EDP24.
Fendercare, CLS Offshore and Gardline recently joined a group from the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA) at the wind conference in Copenhagen. Only a few days afterwards, the representatives from export department UKTI visited this region to explore the opportunities for the enterprise zones.
In addition, NSEA put up a stand at the EWEA exhibition and took part in a series of specially arranged presentations and networking opportunities.
Its inward investment director James Gray said: “The exhibition alone has given us more than 100 positive business leads for the region. It was a great success and aroused tremendous interest. The East of England’s offshore wind farms are the hot topic of the sector right now.”
Survey work has been undertaken for the third offshore wind farm project round off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast and East Anglia Offshore Wind is expected to put in a planning application later this year.
Business development manager for Gardline Geosciences, Marcus Noakes, said the visit to Copenhagen produced some encouraging contacts and networking.
James Gray said: “This is a time of unprecedented growth in offshore wind yet the ongoing investment in all-energy in the North Sea and around the world still dominates.
“We want to ensure that companies investing across the energy spectrum are fully aware of the real competitive advantage that locating and operating in the East of England Energy Zone can bring.”
Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft were granted Enterprise Zone status last year, offering a simplified planning regime and business rate relief for the development of a number of key sites, including port related land with quayside access.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND staff, May 8, 2012; Image: NewAnglia