news story

Energy coalition needed to meet future demands

A variety of energy sources are needed to bring power to the people over the coming decades and most will be highlighted at EEEGR’s flagship summer conference in Great Yarmouth in July.

The TMS client will welcome speakers from major companies across the energy spectrum to examine how the industry can cope with future demand and how important it is for a co-ordinated approach.

Whether it is oil & gas, wind power, nuclear, renewables, biofuels or other energy sources, the East of England will have a vital role to play – with Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft at the hub.

EEEGR chief executive John Best said: “We have watched the difficulty of resolving a battle for power in the General Election and now the energy industry faces similar problems in bringing power to our nation in the years ahead.

“To succeed, we need our own coalition involving all parties in the energy industry to ensure the right mix and balance for our future needs. We’re delighted that all are coming together at our conference which sits at the heart of the energy supply chain here in the East of England. It reflects our desire to speak with one compelling voice for the region’s energy industry.”

Vattenfall managing director David Hodkinson and Centrica’s regional director for the Southern North Sea (SNS), Steve Kemp, will be among keynote speakers for EEEGR’s “Energy: Powering Forward” conference at Great Yarmouth Racecourse on Wednesday July 14.

The Vattenfall chief will speak on the future of the offshore wind industry in the region, particularly relevant with his company a partner in the proposed East Anglia Array windfarm development off Norfolk.

Mr Kemp will focus on the continued importance of SNS gas – highlighted by the successful appraisal drilling in the Cygnus gas field last month making it potentially one of the largest fields ever discovered in the UK sector of the SNS.

Paul Lafferty, from E.ON Ruhrgas, will look at the need for an integrated approach to energy supply while Alan Cumming, of EDF Energy, will focus on the progress of a new era of nuclear power and the pressing need to find the right skills across the energy industry.