Energy & Environment

The East of England is unrivalled in the UK, with its unique mix of wind power, gas solar and nuclear energy production, with recognised Enterprise Zone status. The Norfolk coast is at the centre of the world’s largest market for offshore wind. Norfolk has the world’s largest windfarm in development, and the proposed development of Sizewell C nuclear power station will create 25,000 jobs during its construction phase.

Home to Norwich Research Park, we are at the forefront of climate and environmental research. The Centre hosts partnerships such as the Tyndall Centre, who are creating sustainable responses to climate change, and the University of East Anglia’s ‘Climate UEA’ organisation, which has been pioneering climate research for over 50 years.

Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) has been working with ConsensusPower on the Norwich Solar System. The Norwich Solar System will transform unused business rooftops into solar energy generators establishing a local energy community for Norwich and providing businesses with lower-cost, locally sourced, sustainable energy.

The Norfolk Offshore Wind zone, acquired by RWE in 2024, has provided £1 million in skills investment in local economy and when operational, will power the equivalent of 4 million UK homes. The Norfolk Zone’s 276 wind turbines will deliver electricity via cables which come ashore at Happisburgh and connect to the National Grid at Necton.

There are many opportunities and a lot of investment in the Norwich and Norfolk area in Energy and Environment. The future looks promising with huge investment in Bacton Energy Hub as the NSTA recognises that Bacton has the potential to establish itself as a low carbon hydrogen hub.