An £11m energy skills centre could open in Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft within 18-24 months after a feasibility study established that the idea made economic sense.
Four potential sites - two in each town – have been shortlisted for the three-building block, provisionally named the EPIScentre, which will become a flagship for energy industry training across the East of England.
Around 20,000 people a year will be able to learn or improve skills through the centre which will comprise offices and a range of workshops plus an outside training area.
Authorities in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have indicated that they will support the project on behalf of the region.
The final choice of two-acre site will be announced by the Skills for Energy Partnership, a TMS Media client, early in the new year.
An initial application for support will then go in to the Regional Growth Fund, followed by the European Regional Development Fund and local councils.
But half the investment must come from within the industry itself, either in cash or equipment needed to set up EPIScentre.
"It’s excellent news that the feasibility study by Nautilus Associates has given us the confidence to move to the next stage," said Celia Anderson, executive director - skills for EEEGR (the East of England Energy Group).
"This is not about a building but about a flagship centre which will unite existing training providers with the people who need the skills. And that will make this region much more attractive to industries thinking of moving or investing here.
"We believe this is the best way to avert a critical shortage of skills in an industry which faces unparalled growth in the region whether in windpower, gas, nuclear, agricultural biofuels, carbon capture and storage, marine energy or clean coal."
"The centre will be unique in this country in bringing together all the energy elements under one umbrella."
