North Essex Energy Group hosts inaugural event

The North Essex Energy Group (NEEG) is a new organisation, formed from a number of public and private sector businesses involved in the energy sector, working together to explore the benefits and opportunities arising in North Essex.

The group’s first public event was held on Wednesday 28 November, at the JobServe Community Stadium, with the intention of bringing key partners together, accelerating growth in the sector, discovering more about major infrastructure projects and creating new networking and business prospects.

Speakers at the event were:

• Chris Squires, EDF Strategic Procurement Manager who spoke about Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Bradwell B nuclear power stations and the supply chain networks for the construction works
• Malcolm Barnett, O&M implementation Manager for Galloper Wind Farm on the project development and its Operations & Maintenance base in Harwich International Port which has recently started construction
• Maxine Narburgh, Regional Hub Manager for Greater South East Energy Hub who spoke about the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Local Energy Strategy

Councillor Tim Young, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Culture, commented on the event: “The energy industry is a key sector for North Essex, providing excellent economic growth potential, jobs and opportunities for companies across the region. I am absolutely delighted that NEEG is working to develop a future of sustainable and low-carbon energy in our region. I am wholly supportive of their work thus far and look forward to future updates.”

A number of stakeholders are collaborating closely to ensure maximum impact of the NEEG’s work, including local government bodies Colchester Borough Council, Tendring District Council, Essex County Council and Maldon District Council, in addition to a number of private sector organisations.

Robert Edge from Invest Essex reflected on the success of the event: “It was great to see the amount of networking which took place between different local businesses as well as with our guest speakers from EDF and Galloper. It shows that there is real interest from business in North Essex in working together with the public and educational sectors to ensure we can maximise opportunities for local business in future energy developments.”