Research findings from regional partnership organisation Generate have found that the east of England could supply up to 15GW of the UK’s offshore wind capacity by 2035.
The figures, which were compiled along with the East of England Energy Group, forecast that the region’s current offshore wind production of 6.7GW will more than double in the next 13 years.
The region is expected to provide 24GW of clean energy overall by 2035 and is set to boost its clean energy production by more than 175% in this time as a result of huge advances in offshore wind, nuclear, green hydrogen, solar and battery storage in the pipeline, Generate said.
Currently, the region boasts more than 1,000 offshore wind turbine, which account for 54% of the UK’s consented offshore wind as well as 139 gas installations and is home to 18% of the UK’s nuclear generating capacity., the organisation added.
By 2035 the region alone is set to produce 15.6GW through offshore wind, 3.4GW through solar and 4.4GW through nuclear power, according to the research.
Meanwhile, the data also shows there are more than 110,000 employees working in the energy and low carbon sectors in the East of England as well as more than 12,285 businesses, with forecasts indicating that a further £122bn will be invested in clean energy in the region by 2050.
Generate business development manager Ian Pease said: “The East of England is shaping up to be an integral contributor to the Government’s priority of stabilising the cost of energy to UK consumers, whilst securing energy supplies as we shift away from a reliance on expensive fossil-fuels and transition to more affordable sources of clean and renewable energy generation.
“We will produce the lion’s share of the UK’s low carbon energy from a supercluster of offshore wind, nuclear and onshore renewables, also playing a colossal part in the UK’s journey to net-zero.
“Our region is uniquely placed to help the UK succeed in the rapid deployment and scale up of clean energy generation, whilst attracting further investment and creating new jobs – this is the important message we will share with government decision makers and energy stakeholders.”
East of England Energy Group executive chairman Martin Dronfield said: “We are pleased to support GENERATE in the development of this powerful new research released today.
“It demonstrates the scope and scale of the East of England’s clean energy capabilities and will be used extensively to inform government ministers and officials eager to source secure and reliable energy supplies, shining a light on our region’s energy credentials, supply chain and our world class research and development capabilities.”