The east of England already produces a third of the UK’s electricity and gas through offshore wind farms in the southern North Sea, nuclear power stations at Sizewell, and Bacton Gas Terminal, where plans are in place for future technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.
The domestic supply of ‘homegrown’ energy has never been more important, with the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for about a fifth of the world’s oil – causing fuel and gas prices to rise across the UK, exposing the volatility of prices and impact of the country’s reliance on overseas imports.
Industry leaders now say new oil and gas drilling using existing infrastructure in the North Sea would reduce this reliance, protecting consumers from price surges triggered by international conflicts.
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has said that opening up “tie-back” arrangements is the “quickest way” to boost supplies by allowing for more fossil fuel extraction.
Jonathan White, general manager of Perenco UK’s southern North Sea operation, which operates a site at Bacton, said natural gas “cannot be abandoned”, with 24 million homes relying on it for heating and around 30pc of electricity generation being gas-fuelled.
And while offshore wind continues to grow, on calm days gas provides the baseload for the grid.
“Think of the energy transition as a relay race,” he said, speaking to over 200 delegates from the east’s energy sector at Westminster last week.
“In the transition zone, both runners must be moving at full pace. If you drop the baton, you lose.
“On our current path, NESO (the National Energy System Operator) forecasts that by 2030 we will import 70pc of our gas – up from 50pc today.
“That is not inevitable. North Sea resources remain capable of meeting most UK gas demand well into the 2040s – if we choose energy self‑sufficiency.
“Accelerating the decline of domestic production does not cut emissions; it shifts them overseas. LNG (liquefied natural gas) imports increase global emissions. The atmosphere does not recognise borders, and the UK cannot outsource its carbon footprint.”
Perenco operates 32 offshore gas platforms, 239 wells, and more than 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) of pipelines in the southern North Sea, employing around 1,000 people.
Each day, around one-sixth of the UK’s gas supply is processed through its east coast terminals at Bacton and Dimlington in Yorkshire.
Mr White said while renewables are accelerated, oil and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy system for years to come.
“The government must support the whole system, not just parts of it,” he said.
“We must not drop the baton by abandoning our indigenous gas supplies and we must retain the capability to meet our own needs, safely and responsibly.
“My message is simple: support UK energy in all its forms, including North Sea gas. Protect jobs, strengthen energy security, and take control of our true global carbon footprint.
“That is how we win the race.”
Mr White was speaking at a reception at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion last Wednesday, hosted by Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, on behalf of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).
Ms Asato said that while offshore wind projects like Scottish Power Renewables’ East Anglia Three off the coast of Lowestoft are supporting jobs and investment in the town, “progress is not always as fast or as joined up as it needs to be”.
“We need to move further and faster to deliver the projects already in the pipeline.
“Too often, projects are held back by delays to grid connections or the infrastructure needed to bring power onshore and into homes and businesses. If we are serious about energy security, lowering costs and supporting growth, those barriers have to be addressed with urgency.
“At the heart of this is a question of fairness. People quite reasonably ask why, in a country with so much energy generation on its doorstep, bills remain high and the system can feel distant from everyday life. If the transition ahead is to succeed, it has to deliver visible benefits for the communities closest to it, not just in the long term but now.
“As these projects grow, so too does the need for skilled workers, from engineers and technicians to those supporting the wider supply chain.”
Kevin Keable, chairman of EEEGR, said both energy security and affordability are now “national priorities”.
“Domestic supply of oil and gas continues to be an anchor of our energy security, and we must invest in our homegrown production,” he said.
“We have the capability, capacity and expertise to provide a clear and immediate answer to affordability, security, economic growth, skills and jobs.
“Now we must enter the next phase of working together through industry, government and training providers to build upon our diverse region, support our current workforce, ready our future skilled employers and employees, and provide a stable and thriving economy.”
