The government has selected five locations across England as COREs — which are partnerships between central and local government and local economic partnerships — that will be the focus of efforts to attract renewable-energy manufacturing companies to them.
Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and Lowestoft in Suffolk are the closest ports to more than £50bn of capital expenditure to be invested in offshore wind, nuclear, gas storage and decommissioning over the next 20 years.
It is hoped that CORE status will improve the two East Anglian coastal towns’ abilities to attract thousands of new jobs and to reinforce the area’s position as a key location for the energy sector.
Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: ‘We are host to one of the biggest concentrations of energy-related businesses in the country and located close to major site developments.
‘This designation will help us build on the achievement of acquiring Enterprise Zone status and will be of major assistance in bringing much-needed inward investment to our area.’
The other COREs are Tyneside, Hartlepool, the Humber and Sheerness.
The five COREs will be promoted by the government as the prime locations for offshore renewable-engineering businesses, with a comprehensive package of support on offer.
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