3 minute read
UK and Europe news
Regional update
It is hard to believe we are approaching the end of 2020. As this year draws to a close, we can certainly reflect on what a year it has been living and working amidst COVID-19. For many of us,
Jo Campbell
this global pandemic has found ourselves adjusting our daily routine and undergoing fundamental changes to the ways of working. The EIC and the UK events team transformed the ways in which we delivered our membership offering. As a team we took this opportunity to be more innovative, deliver and support virtual opportunities to the energy sector, host more events, introduce a platform which would still allow us to connect, hear and keep up to date with the latest industry news. In November we held a sell-out webinar which focussed on the North Sea, in particular the similarities between the Forties discovery and the take-off of the new wave of energy transition projects. Our e-vent looked at how the North Sea will play a pivotal role as the energy transition takes shape and discussed how engineering innovation, investment opportunities, and support for the UK supply chain are all key.
The northern committee gathered virtually on 9 November for its AGM. Here we welcomed new members from across the region and reconnected with our current committee. This meeting was a real opportunity to network and discuss areas of concern, regional topics and success stories. The committee strives to represent the views of EIC members both in the region and as a whole, needless to say we have some exciting ideas lined up for 2021. On 2 December the EIC’s president Campbell Kier and CEO Stuart Broadley will reflect on what a significant and unprecedented year it has been for the industry. Campbell and Stuart will offer their insights as they discuss the energy market, coronavirus pandemic, political changes, industry developments and opportunities, but also crucially look forward to what 2021 may bring for the energy sector. The team’s final webinar for the year will be on 3 December, cross-sector decommissioning. There will be a variety of industry speakers across a multiple of energy markets in the decommissioning industry discussing key opportunities. Few would deny that 2020 has been a testing year for us all. As an events team we have certainly missed seeing you all in person but hope that you have enjoyed our virtual e-vents as much as we have enjoyed delivering them to you over the past nine months. Overall, we have hosted 30 webinars and attracted over 3,000 attendees from around the world. Thank you to all our members who have supported us, this has been greatly appreciated.
Going into 2021, with COVID-19 still being very much part of our home and working lives, we will continue to bring the very latest energy sector news and updates via our virtual platform directly to you wherever you are. All of our EIC LIVE e-vents are listed and updated regularly on the EIC events webpage.
The UK events team wishes you and your families all the very best over the festive period and we hope everyone has a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
Jo Campbell Regional Director (UK & Europe) jo.campbell@the-eic.com
Regional news
UK solar market moving towards anticipated boom
The sector is currently seeing an acceleration of its subsidy-free solar build out and has a pipeline of utility-scale projects observing a record of solar additions. Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) recently submitted planning applications for the Three Bridges and Burgate solar projects in Norfolk. The two 20MW plants are the first of the two subsidy-free projects in its plans for a 1GW UK portfolio. Elgin Energy has signed an agreement with Foresight Group to develop 200MW of subsidy-free solar PV, with a target of six projects in the UK. Elgin Energy has also announced plans to develop a 38MW solar plant on the site of a former second world war airfield in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Construction is expected to take four months and the farm is set to have a life span of 30 years.
