GENERATE launches at Global Offshore Wind 2021
Politicians and developers showed their support for the East of England at Global Offshore Wind 2021
GENERATE, a pioneering partnership of East of England businesses and political leaders created to champion and showcase the region’s energy investment opportunities and capabilities launched at Global Offshore Wind last week. In partnership with East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) the stand hosted a myriad of politicians and developers from across the region pledging their support for both GENERATE and the East of England offshore wind cluster.
The event was a further opportunity for the region to show case how it is demonstrating cooperation and joint working across the sector to support the growth required to reach government targets for Netzero.
Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney said,
“I was delighted to be invited to speak at the launch of GENERATE at Renewable UK’s Global Offshore Wind event as no other region is as well placed as the East of England to lead the UK’s transition to Net Zero. Much of the UK’s existing and future offshore wind fleet is anchored off the Suffolk and Norfolk coast and this development compliments extremely well the proposed new nuclear power station at Sizewell C. Moreover, the Southern North Sea gas basin has a continuing important role to play and provides the infrastructure for hydrogen, which can transform the way that power is generated for homes, businesses and transport. GENERATE will help attract new investment to our area, will enable businesses to grow in a sustainable way, and will provide skilled and exciting new jobs for local people.”
Peter’s speech was followed by developer presentations from ScottishPower Renewables, Vattenfall, Orsted, Equinor and RWE. All of whom had a similar message of support for the East of England Offshore Wind Cluster and the new GENERATE brand, whilst sharing their ambitious offshore wind plans in the Southern North Sea that will provide further opportunities for coastal communities in the East of England.
Ian Pease, Business Development Manager at GENERATE and OrbisEnergy:
“The launch was the result of a year’s worth of hard work from GENERATE partners, the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and members of Norfolk & Suffolk All Energy Industry Council. GENERATE will work with industry’s full support and are very excited about the future.”
GENERATE and the Offshore wind cluster bring together not only developers and local councils but also the wider energy supply chain. Ports from across the region including Peel Ports, Great Yarmouth, ABP Lowestoft and Freeport East all spoke about their capabilities and future plans to support offshore wind. Building a picture of infrastructure and experience within region that can help realise an extensive pipeline of green energy projects.
A key ambition for GENERATE is to create the right conditions for investment. Its founders, a combination of local councils and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, own land, buildings, and strategic industrial areas in and around Norfolk and Suffolk and want to attract a wide range of energy-related inward investors to aid expansion, develop the sector and create sustainable employment.
The exhibition presence was also supported by representatives from Virginia Economic Development Partnership, who spoke of the significant export opportunities that the emerging US offshore wind sector could bring to the region’s offshore wind supply chain.
“We must continue to work together to showcase our capabilities as a region. Both GENERATE and the Offshore Wind Cluster group are doing this and it was great to see such widespread support at Global Offshore Wind for the Eastern of England as a whole. Recognising the importance of us having a single voice as a region at the highest level.”
Martin Dronfield, EEEGR Executive Chair