East of England Development Agency

EEDA - moving Towards a low carbon economy

This year will see the publication of revised Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and the energy sector will again feature as a vital part of our future economic success.

The oil and gas industry has been a bedrock of regional prosperity and success for many decades and remains a very important part of our economy.  The emerging RES also demonstrates the opportunities from new energy markets including renewable energy and ‘clean technology' such as carbon capture and storage.

With our low-lying geography, vulnerable coastline and already scarce water resources the East of England is the region most at threat from climate change, and the region's ambitious target of a 60% reduction in CO2 levels by 2031 will continue to drive new markets in this area.

EEDA: Driving the Energy Sector

With the energy industry of such significance EEDA is involved in a wide-range of projects around the region to support the delivery of innovative solutions to our future energy needs. These include:

• Support for the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) to enable energy sector companies to engage in the development of the sector
• Support for Renewables East, which gives focused impetus to growth across the renewable energy sector in the region
• A £6.7m investment in the landmark OrbisEnergy building due to open in summer 2008; part of a commitment to deliver the fullest potential of our coastline for offshore wind, wave and tidal generation.
• Demonstrating exemplar solutions for sustainable construction, including support for best practice networks such as the Cambridge Smart Life centre.
• Applying a low carbon theme to our distribution of the European Regional Development Fund
• Support for the Centre for Sustainable Engineering
• Launch of the ‘Cut Your Carbon' campaign to empower communities to reduce their carbon emissions
• Support for the Skills for Energy Partnership in the East of England - a unique partnership which tackles the long-term skills shortages within the energy sector by engaging colleges, training providers and sector skills councils directly with the industry.
• Delivery of business support for energy companies though Business Link and events such as our award-winning Destination Growth.

EEDA as exemplar

EEDA also recognises its responsibility as a leader and has committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2010.  A group of Energy Champions has been set up within EEDA, and they are supporting an energy reduction campaign based on the Carbon Trust Energy Review. We are also providing three year training and awareness raising for staff on the importance of sustainability and how to be more efficient with resources. 

For more information about EEDA's work with the energy sector please contact 01223 713900 and ask for the Sustainable Development team.

Or visit www.eeda.org.uk