East coast communities in the UK, such as Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, are destined to become “honeypots of investment” for decades on the back of offshore wind development, according to a local MP.
Waveney MP Peter Aldous (pictured) was speaking at an industry event in Lowestoft organised by the East of England Energy Group.
He said the £22bn being invested in offshore wind farm construction off the east coast, that will cost another £550m a year to run, will help to reverse years of decline in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
East of England Energy Group offshore wind special interest group chair Martin Dronfield said: “A new sustainable journey has begun. It is happening in this region. Decarbonisation by electrification, and the east of England is keeping the lights on.”
He added that the East Anglia region could also benefit from the export potential offered by offshore wind.
“The links that the east of England has with the Netherlands, Belgium, France are already incredibly strong. There is a powerful opportunity to take our skills and learning. It is about collaboration and creating clusters. We are only 60-70 miles away,” he said.
Dronfield added that a sector deal between the government and industry, currently being worked on, would also offer huge opportunities to the region.