Norwegians sign memorandum of understanding with East Anglia's energy sector

East Anglia's energy body is set to work closely with its Norwegian counterpart after signing a deal at SNS2024 today (Wednesday, May 22).

The East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Norwegian Offshore Wind at the two-day regional energy conference which is focused on the Southern North Sea.

Norway relies heavily on hydro power - but is developing a burgeoning offshore wind industry and East Anglian energy experts see fertile ground for co-operation and creating new opportunities for companies based here.

Alfred Risan, left, Norwegian Offshore Wind; and Kevin Keable, chair EEEGR, with the memorandum of understanding they have both signed, at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)

EEEGR chairman Kevin Keable said forming a relationship with Norwegian Offshore Wind (NOW) was "very important" for this region.

"EEEGR members and stakeholders stand to gain opportunities locally and internationally by forming partnerships with Norwegian supply chain companies, innovators, educators and more," he said.

Jo White, general manager at Perenco UK, speaks at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)

“The fact that they are very interested in working in our region shows just how strong the wind industry is in the east of England and how prominent it is in the international marketplace.

"The Norwegians have their own Southern North Sea, it just happens to be 750km further north than our own and the water is up to 500m deeper.”

People chat at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)

EU adviser Tor Arne Johnsen and Alfred Risan, director of business development renewables at Norwegian Offshore Wind, will be speaking on Day 2 of the conference - which is taking place at the Royal Norfolk Showground - about international opportunities.

Norwegian Offshore Wind (NOW) is the largest industrial cluster in Norway with 400 member companies.

It is focused solely on offshore wind and sees UK as an important market for the companies.

Logan Curry from King Edward VII Academy, tries virtual reality hang gliding with Infiniteform at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)

It has a dedicated working group in the cluster that set up activities in the UK market. The working group led by Alfred Risan.

The East of England is viewed as one of the most attractive regions in the UK for offshore wind with great market opportunities because of the many large projects either commissioned or in the pipeline.

Norwegians - which have ambitions to reach 30GW of wind power by 2040 - see great synergies between UK companies and Norwegian companies both in the UK market and the Norwegian market.

Neil Murphy, director Hytorc, industrial bolting systems, at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Norwegian Offshore Wind manager Arvid Nesse said the East of England is one of the major offshore wind hubs in the largest market in Europe.

"With the North Sea as a common sea basin with Norway, it will certainly benefit our members to strengthen the collaboration with the industry in this region," he said.

East of England has emerged as one the main offshore wind hubs in the UK.

ast Point academy students, Annabel, left, and Faith, with their model of a step that pressurises hydrogen everytime it is stepped on, at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)Several of the large developers such as Scottish Power Renewables, RWE and Orsted are located in the region with large offshore wind projects such as Norfolk and East Anglia under development, said NOW.

The region is home to a strong supply chain, and Port of Great Yarmouth is the installation base for Norfolk offshore Wind zone and operations and maintenance base for Dudgeon and Sheringham shoal.

Adam Green of Glamox, ligting for marine offshore and wind, at the SNS2024 Energy conference. (Image: Denise Bradley)