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An exciting vision of East Anglia becoming Britain's renewable energy powerhouse will be revealed today when energy minister Brian Wilson visits Norfolk.
His visit to the Beacon Innovation Centre at Gorleston will mark the launch of Renewables East, a body set up to promote sustainable energy industries across the region. It will aim to pave the way for more windfarms and, possibly more significantly, the switching of farm production to crops such as oil seed rape that can be turned into fuel.
East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has committed £500,000 over three years for the Renewables East Team, which was the outcome of a study prepared by consultants Douglas Westwood.
EEDA board member Richard Powell said last night: " Here in the East of England we have great potential for growth in the renewable energy sector. "This is an opportunity to capitalise on that potential in a long-lasting manner to secure economic, social and environmental success for the region."
John Best, chief executive of East of England Energy Group, based at Beacon Innovation Centre and set up to promote sustainable energy use, said: "East Anglia has the advantages of shallow water, lots of wind and large areas to grow crops that can be turned into energy.
"We are also close to Europe which can be an important market."
Renewables East could act as an important catalyst, working with both energy firms and farmers.
He said Global Commodities, of Shipdham, near Dereham, was showing the potential of turning vegetable oil into bio-diesel, and British Sugar was exploring the possibility of a plant in the county to turn beet into bio-ethanol.
"With the Government's aspiration expressed in its White Paper of 20pc of energy produced from renewable sources by 2020, there is tremendous scope for our region". As North Sea oil and gas declined, East Anglia could become Britain's renewable energy capital.
But Mid Norfolk MP Keith Simpson, a firm believer in the potential for energy crops, was more cautious about the impact Renewables East could have.
"It has been made quite clear to me by Global Commodities and British Sugar that unless duty is drastically cut or abolished on bio-fuels, that will be an enormous sheet anchor to prevent progress." Global Commodities managing director Dennis Thouless would like to start producing his bio-diesel from oil seed rape bit it would only be feasible with action on duty. Today's visit will also provide companies at the forefront of renewables development a chance to tell Mr Wilson of their progress.
From the Eastern Daily Press – March 2003
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