Opinion piece in the Great Yarmouth Mercury - Fri 18 April 25
Great Yarmouth has long been at the heart of Britain’s energy industry — from traditional oil and gas to our growing role in offshore wind. The new £24 million Offshore Energy Operations and Maintenance Campus in South Denes is a major vote of confidence in our town’s future. It brings with it jobs, investment, and a chance to place Great Yarmouth at the centre of a modern, balanced energy strategy.
Like many, I care deeply about the environment and want to see a cleaner, more sustainable future. But we also have to be realistic. The Net Zero targets were created in a different era — before the war in Ukraine, before the global energy crisis, and before rising living costs began to hit families hard. It is only sensible that we revisit how and when we meet these targets, making sure we balance environmental goals with energy security and affordability.
Our local economy can lead the way — not just in wind, but across the full spectrum of offshore energy. That includes using our skilled workforce and infrastructure to support a responsible transition, not an abrupt one. We can champion innovation while still protecting local jobs and keeping bills down.
The South Denes development shows what’s possible when we back British industry and invest in our regions. Great Yarmouth can be proud of its past and ambitious about its future — but only if we pursue energy policy with both vision and common sense.
Cllr Daniel Candon
Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Growth on Great Yarmouth Borough Council
