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Local Industrial Strategy Draft
the UK’s clean
growth region
A globally recognised, technology-driven, creative and
inclusive economy which is leading the transition to
a post-carbon economy through sustainable food Cover photos:
Turbines off the All Energy Coast,
production and sustainable energy generation. researchers at Quadram Institute and
crops at the Norwich Research Park
2 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Foreword Below: Dudgeon
Offshore Wind Farm
Building on centuries of innovation, Norfolk With specialisms in telecoms, cyber security,
and Suffolk is pioneering the technologies quantum technology, artificial intelligence,
and science needed to power, feed and Internet of Things, user experience design,
connect a growing national and global marine and microbiome research, the area
population for a cleaner and more has some of the highest concentrations of
sustainable future. knowledge-intensive jobs in the UK.
It is the epicentre of the world’s largest market Home to the largest agri-food sector in the UK,
for offshore wind energy with expertise in all the area boasts world-leading research into
forms of energy generation. Planned investment plant and soil technology, agricultural systems
will make it the leading supplier of renewable and health. Norfolk and Suffolk continues to
energy to the UK, providing power for more than push the boundaries of food and health science,
58 per cent of UK homes. from agriculture pioneers such as Coke of
Norfolk and Turnip Townshend to scientists at
It is home to BT’s global research and the John Innes Centre leading the global search
development headquarters at Adastral Park, to develop new antibiotics discoveries. © Jan Arne Wold
Ipswich – the UK’s leading patent filer for
artificial intelligence technologies, where global There are few places which are so uniquely
standards and coding for the internet were equipped to make telling contributions to the
pioneered and the single-mode optical fibre major challenges facing the world in the 21st
was realised. century – food and energy security, healthy There are few places which are
ageing and living with environmental change in
Norfolk and Suffolk is at the cutting edge of a world where technology is advancing rapidly.
so uniquely equipped to make
digital innovation, with a globally competitive telling contributions to the major
communications technology and digital creative This Local Industrial Strategy has been adopted
sector anchored by nationally recognised tech by local partners. It has been submitted to
challenges facing the world in
clusters centred on Ipswich and Norwich’s fast- Government and is awaiting their approval. the 21st century
growing digital creative hubs.
Local Industrial Strategy 3
Right: Ipswich Waterfront
As global, national and local economies adapt The main urban centres of Ipswich and Norwich This Local Industrial Strategy reflects the
to climate change and the transition to a zero- are dynamic, fast-growing centres with a rich opportunities and needs of Norfolk and Suffolk’s
carbon economy, Norfolk and Suffolk is taking cultural offer and are core to future economy growing economy and how it will respond in a
action to bring together expertise and emerging growth. Norfolk and Suffolk market towns are fast-changing world. Local partners have put in
technologies across different disciplines and also important and are a significant anchor place a strong partnership that has a track record
sector boundaries to provide new solutions and points for businesses and individuals. of delivery. This Local Industrial Strategy shows
clean growth opportunities. how Norfolk and Suffolk is going to continue to
Record numbers of people are engaged in the collaborate across disciplines and boundaries to
With an economy worth £36bn, Norfolk and economy, with 81 per cent of the working age provide new solutions and the infrastructure that
Suffolk makes a significant contribution to UK plc population in Norfolk and Suffolk active, and its communities and businesses need.
and investment here delivers growth. The area employment levels exceeding the national
strives to be a place with a productive, highly average. Skills levels and wages, however, are
skilled workforce; a place where high-growth lower but that gap is closing. Initiatives across
businesses aspire to be. Norfolk and Suffolk are improving opportunities
for those furthest from the labour market.
This Local Industrial Strategy is based on strong
evidence and sets out the actions local partners Norfolk and Suffolk is strongly connected with Norfolk and Suffolk is taking
are taking and how they are working with the rest of the world. Felixstowe is the UK’s action to bring together
government to continue to make this one of the largest container port and handles about 42 per
best places in the world to live, work, learn and cent of its container trade. Norwich Airport, via expertise and emerging
succeed in business. Schiphol, connects people to over 400 global technologies across different
destinations while other airports like London
Stansted are within close reach. The area disciplines and sector boundaries
benefits from important links to London and
Cambridge, boasting the UK’s most modern fleet
to provide new solutions and
of railway rolling stock. clean growth opportunities.
4 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Local Industrial Strategy 5
6 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Executive summary
Norfolk and Suffolk – the UK’s clean growth region.
A globally recognised, technology-driven, The cross-sector opportunities are particularly The scale of the productivity prize is significant.
creative and inclusive economy which is exciting, delivering solutions such as energy If Norfolk and Suffolk was operating at the same
leading the transition to a post-carbon self-sufficiency in farming, or using older gas productivity rate as the UK average, it would
economy through sustainable food production platforms for sustainable energy generation, for contribute an additional £4bn gross value
and sustainable energy generation. example, to make a major contribution to the per annum.
UK’s transition to a post-carbon economy.
With an economy worth £36bn1, Norfolk and As global, national and local economies adapt
Suffolk makes a significant contribution to UK The Norfolk and Suffolk economy has clear and to climate change and the transition to a zero-
plc, with globally competitive clusters and well-defined potential for growth alongside carbon economy, Norfolk and Suffolk is taking
growing specialisms from agri-food and clean these major opportunities. This Local Industrial action to bring together expertise and emerging
energy to information and communications Strategy sets out a series of coherent and technologies across different disciplines and
technology and digital creative. specific actions that will drive productivity and sector boundaries to provide new solutions and
growth across the economy as a whole, so that clean growth opportunities.
Clean growth sits at the heart of this Local all businesses and communities benefit from
Industrial Strategy. Norfolk and Suffolk is at sustainable and inclusive growth with clean
the forefront of tackling the challenges and energy, improved wages and better-quality jobs, This Local Industrial Strategy
opportunities of climate change. The area's innovative transport solutions and support for
major strengths in energy generation and usage, the ageing population.
sets out a series of coherent and
and high-tech sustainable agri-food, present specific actions that will drive
major opportunities.
productivity and growth across
the economy as a whole.
Left: Turbines off the All Energy Coast
1
Norfolk and Suffolk Local Industrial Strategy evidence base – contains all data in this document unless otherwise stated.
Local Industrial Strategy 7
Clean Energy: Powering the world
Norfolk and Suffolk is well placed to be a This strategy sets out a range of actions that Expanding OrbisEnergy’s scope from
global exemplar for clean, low carbon energy local partners will take to maximise the clean offshore renewables to ‘clean energy’,
production, exporting services and skills energy opportunity including: delivering an ambitious innovation and
globally, whilst increasing the availability growth programme focussing on supply
of affordable sustainable energy for local Developing an ambitious research and
chain development, new technology
communities and businesses. innovation programme that will build on solutions, investment in skills and talent,
existing clean energy research strengths attracting investment, increasing global
Norfolk and Suffolk has expertise in all forms across the regional universities, Cefas exports and supporting collaboration
of energy generation and sits at the heart of and ORE Catapult, working closely with across industry to develop a shared all-
the world’s largest market for offshore wind industry to deliver increased innovation and energy workforce.
energy. Planned investment in renewable and productivity, new research collaborations
nuclear power generation will make it the leading and cross-sector translational projects.
supplier of renewable energy to the UK, providing
power for 58 per cent of the UK’s homes. Enhancing the capacity and capability of
Planned investment in
Norfolk and Suffolk’s ports with a series of
As well as a key role in the production of energy, ambitious projects to attract and capture
renewable and nuclear
Norfolk and Suffolk is also playing a leading investment in operations and maintenance, power generation will make
role in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. manufacturing and construction to serve the
Working with the Greater South East Energy offshore energy market.
it the leading supplier of
Hub to deliver local projects at scale that benefit renewable energy to the UK,
communities, private investors and businesses
operating in the low carbon sector is a priority.
providing power for 58 per cent
Transforming the local energy system and new of the UK’s homes.
innovations in wider energy resource use will
drive productivity gains across all businesses.
8 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Agri-food: Feeding the world
Norfolk and Suffolk has the innovation and There is a substantial opportunity to add value
expertise to develop, pioneer and apply new to the economy with an increase in processing
approaches to sustainable agriculture, utilising and high-tech production methods, automation,
clean energy and innovative water management, enhanced use of information technology and
and increase value-added processing and exports other innovations.
through the application of new technologies
and systems. This strategy sets out a range of actions that
will be taken forward to maximise the clean
Norfolk and Suffolk has the largest agri-food opportunity including:
agri-food sector in the UK, and world-leading
research into plant and soil technology and Invest in a Food Innovation Hub based at
agricultural systems. Agriculture is changing the Honingham Food Enterprise Zone to
fast. Opportunities such as automation are deliver business growth through innovation,
transforming agriculture, streamlining crop and productivity, processing, exports and
livestock production, and informing crop and soil supporting new start-ups.
modelling. At the same time, soil degradation,
biodiversity loss and climate change alongside Collaborate with partners including
a growing global population are driving new Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and
challenges and consumer behaviours. Peterborough leveraging the existing
strengths of Agri-Tech East to realise the
Norfolk and Suffolk is home to an advanced collective power as the UK centre for
and nationally significant food and drink high-tech, precision agriculture and
sector, with globally renowned companies. food production.
There are many more quality processing
businesses with potential to grow in domestic Develop a world-leading hub for plant and
Above: Scientists at Quadram Institute and international markets. microbial research at the John Innes Centre.
Local Industrial Strategy 9
ICT and Digital Creative:
Right: The new STEM
Innovation Campus at
West Suffolk College will
Connecting the world
train the next generation
of engineers, innovators
and manufacturers
This strategy will grow and secure the This strategy sets out a range of actions that will
information and communications technology be taken forward to maximise the ICT and digital
and digital creative clusters at Adastral Park creative opportunity including:
and Norwich as national assets. It will build
the integrated networks that businesses need Deliver the Adastral Park 2025 vision to
including the UK’s first advanced high-speed take the site to a new level as a major
optical wireless network. national strategic asset and growth engine
for the UK.
Norfolk and Suffolk’s ICT and digital creative
opportunity is both fast-growing and high-value. Create a new digital hub in Norwich for the
It is at the cutting edge of digital innovation, with incubation of start-ups and accommodation
distinctive strengths in telecoms, cyber security, of scale-up businesses in the digital and
quantum technology, artificial intelligence, creative cluster.
Internet of Things and user experience design.
Develop the economic case for a Smart
It is also imperative in supporting productivity Emerging Technology Institute (SETI) and
growth and technology-driven innovation across testbed – a unique advanced high-speed
all local sectors, for example through agri-tech optical and wireless network (including 5G)
and the application of advanced intelligent which interlinks Internet of Things testbeds
information technology supporting the low to support large-scale experiments and
carbon energy transition. It is anchored by data transfer.
nationally recognised tech clusters centred
on Norwich’s fast-growing digital creative hub, Adastral Park has been identified by Government
and at Adastral Park near Ipswich. as one of the UK’s High Potential Opportunities
Above: Norwich is a hub for digital creative businesses for investment.
10 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedLocal Industrial Strategy 11
The foundations of productivity
This Local Industrial Strategy also recognises • Introducing a new integrated offer and Skills levels are increasing in Norfolk and Suffolk
the strengths and the importance of a number of programme of activity that will stimulate faster than in the UK as a whole. But there is
underpinning sectors in the Norfolk and Suffolk collaboration and innovation. This will more to be done, particularly in digital skills
economy – financial services, culture and the include an innovation research and needed by businesses of all sectors.
visitor economy, ports and logistics, advanced development fund, innovation ambassadors
manufacturing and construction. Tackling the and an innovative projects revenue fund. Local partners will continue to work together
productivity challenges in these sectors is a key to grow an inclusive economy with a highly
part of the Local Industrial Strategy. • Developing next-generation innovation skilled workforce where skills and employment
infrastructure, including an exemplar provision meets business need and the
assisted living community for an ageing aspirations of individuals by:
Ideas: Norfolk and Suffolk has society, and exploring the possibility of the
strong innovation assets, but Port of Felixstowe becoming an exemplar • Closing the skills and labour gaps, especially
innovation is concentrated in a small for blue tech. in digital and technical skills, and continuing
number of innovative firms, and to build skills across the strategic opportunity
world-class research assets, including Norwich • Creating partnerships with other parts of the areas by delivering sector skills plans,
Research Park and Adastral Park near Ipswich. UK to scope out shared and complementary supporting opportunity areas in Ipswich and
There is a long tail of non-innovative businesses. capabilities to drive forward new Norwich and delivering the youth pledge.
innovations and access to new markets.
Together local partners will widen the cross • Providing a range of opportunities that
section of businesses innovating and investing enable all residents to upskill throughout
by providing the right support and access to the People: Norfolk and Suffolk has a their lives, including developing a digital
finance needed to increase productivity through diverse and growing population. skills programme and working with
innovation, particularly focusing on clean Employment levels are higher industries to scale up existing initiatives.
growth and the networks needed. Collaboration, than the UK average. The area is a
learning and partnership between science, desirable place to live, quality of life is constantly • Improving aspirations and continuing to
research and business, across different sectors ahead of the national trend with a consistent net develop employability and work readiness
and disciplines, will be strengthened by: inflow of people of all ages, including families amongst young people, including developing
and skilled professionals. an apprenticeship levy transfer scheme and
enhancing the New Anglia Enterprise Advisor
Network and Careers Hub.
12 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimitedopportunity to encourage a wider cross-section
Infrastructure: Boosting of businesses to engage in exporting, with Places: Norfolk and Suffolk is an
infrastructure enables success. Places current levels of exports lower than comparator outstanding place to live and do
and communities are interconnected, areas. There is an extensive network of business business. 140 miles of coastline, three
depend on transport links and draw advice services across Norfolk and Suffolk, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
on many of the same labour markets and supply centred around the New Anglia Growth Hub, the and a diversity of landscapes, internationally
chains. Local partners will work to increase single point of access for all business support. important wildlife reserves and historic sites. The
local investment in energy and water efficiency, main urban centres of Ipswich and Norwich are
storage and management infrastructure, Local partners will increase the number of dynamic, fast-growing centres with a rich cultural
alongside existing transport, housing and digital businesses growing and scaling up, and the offer and are core to future economy growth.
services that will enable all residents to take number of new businesses with high growth
advantage of economic opportunities by: potential; and raise sustainability, productivity Norfolk and Suffolk will build on the place-
and wages amongst the wider business base. focused approach to improving access to
• Delivering an integrated approach to Businesses will be supported in their efforts skills and employment agreed in its Economic
infrastructure and inter-regional connectivity to expand market access and attract inward Strategy, recognising the different requirements
to maximise clean growth impacts locally investment by: of its towns and urban, coastal and rural areas,
and for UK plc. connecting pockets of deprivation which exist
• Providing industry leadership that drives alongside the largest future opportunities. Local
• Delivering the right mix of sustainable, energy actions and takes advantage of the partners' actions will include:
efficient, intelligent homes, commercial space opportunities that exist within and across clean
and communities that are fit for the future. energy, agri-food and ICT and digital creative • Communicating a clear, ambitious offer to
through establishing industry councils. the world central to attracting the people,
• Developing exemplar low carbon energy investors and businesses of the future.
generation, networks and storage which • Sharpening the high-quality business
benefit local businesses and communities. support offer to ensure it meets the • Accelerating investment on the Enterprise
changing needs of businesses adapting to Zones to help drive economic growth.
new ways of working and new technology,
Business Environment: Norfolk including an integrated inward investment • Developing a shared investment
and Suffolk has a strong business and business location offer, expanding prospectus with Arts Council and National
environment and is a great place Invest East, a free 'investor-led' programme Lottery Heritage, ensuring that cultural
to build and grow a business, and delivering supply chain programmes. infrastructure is maintained and developed,
with stable and resilient firms, strong levels of including specific new development in
business support and good business survival Norfolk and Suffolk is an market towns and places where there is
rates. The area is home to internationally facing significant new housing.
businesses which export £2.9bn of goods
outstanding place to live
and £2.4bn of services. However, there is an and do business
Local Industrial Strategy 13Making it happen
A number of tools and systems have been put in
place to support delivery:
Shared evidence base
Delivery and investment plans
A common investment prioritisation
framework
A shared inclusive growth toolkit
An annual stock-take of progress
An evaluation programme.
Left: Norwich Research Park is
home to 3,000 researchers
Norfolk and Suffolk partners know that the voluntary, community and social enterprise
economy is most successful when they work sectors. It builds on the priorities and targets
together for the benefit of the people who live, set by local partners in the Norfolk and Suffolk
learn and work here. Economic Strategy, the local blueprint for
inclusive growth and productivity gains, with
This strategy looks to 2036, is based on a robust an overall goal to transform the economy into
evidence base and has been developed by a one of the best places in the world to live, learn,
strong local partnership of businesses, local work and succeed in business.
authorities, universities and colleges and the
14 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedTechnology and Economic Change Global Change Demographic and Climate Change
National Industrial Strategy Strategic Drivers Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy
'a strategy for growth and opportunity'
Clean Growth: The UK's clean growth region
At the forefront of tackling the challenges and opportunities of climate change. Strengths in energy generation and usage, and high-tech, sustainable agri-food
present major opportunities, in particular the cross-sector opportunities which will have a major contribution to the UK’s transition to a post-carbon economy.
Agri-food ICT and Creative Digital
Clean energy connecting the world
powering the world feeding the world
Global centre of research and
Advanced and nationally significant
The epicentre of the world’s largest development and innovation in
agri-food and drink sector, with
market for offshore wind energy. communications technology.
globally renowned companies.
The only place in the UK where Fast growing digital creative hub,
World-leading research base, at the
all forms of energy generation with an international reputation
forefront of global food and
exist together. for producing graduates
health research.
who excel.
Underpinning Sectors Financial services, culture, the visitor economy, ports and logistics, advanced manufacturing and construction
Ideas: Improving People: Continue to Infrastructure: Business Place: Transforming
collaboration grow an inclusive Deliver integrated Environment: the Norfolk and
across businesses economy with infrastructure to Creating more high Suffolk economy
and sectors, a highly skilled enable productivity growth businesses, into one of the
driving up levels of business workforce where skills and gains and clean growth and to increasing entrepreneurship best places in the world to
innovation, whilst increasing employment provision create places that people want and helping businesses take the live, learn, work and succeed
the adoption and diffusion of meet business need and the to live and work. decisions they need to be agile, in business.
new technologies. aspirations of individuals. productive and responsive.
Local Industrial Strategy 15Economic profile at a glance
A large, diverse economy, but with Opportunity for businesses
productivity challenges to innovate and export
Micro (0 to 9 88.4 % 30.0 % 19.3 %
employees) businesses employment turnover £2.9bn
of goods exported
Small (10 to 9.7 % 13.5 % 13.3 %
49 employees) businesses employment turnover
£2.4bn
Medium (50 to 1.6
% 10.6
% 13.0
%
of services exported
249 employees) businesses employment turnover
Large (250+ 0.4 % 45.8 % 54.4 % 50%
growth in
employees) businesses employment turnover
Science and R&D
employment
since 2007
62,750 46.8% £35.8bn 0.7% 2nd compared with 19% UK average
independent survival rate contributions average annual fastest growing
enterprises of start-ups to the UK plc productivity area for high-
improvement growth firms
16 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedInclusive growth
The inclusive growth gap is closing. A faster rate than national
average and all comparator areas.
Housing affordability is
2.8%
A growing population growth in x8.7
NVQ3+ levels times higher than
earnings compared to UK 7.8
31.6% 3.6% Norfolk and
rate of net
migration of
growth of
residents Suffolk lags 76.8%
behind the employment rate of
16-50-year-olds compared to 3.7%
population aged 16-64
compared to -14% UK average
nationally
share of pupils
achieving a 9-5 in work compared to 75% across the UK
pass in English
and Maths
compared to
£487.50 per week
23.5% 9,000 average full-time earnings
compared to £537.50 UK average
of residents positive net
aged 65 migration 40% in 2017/18
and over
compared to 18.2% in the UK
trend of
residents 43.9% East of 7%
apprenticeship uptake
per annum England compared to 6% national average
43.5% in the UK
Local Industrial Strategy 17Connectivity and Commuting Housing and commercial property
Felixstowe is the UK's largest container port
Median property
prices 2017
42% 29m 70% 330
of the UK's tonnes of of containers rail
container
trade
imports and
exports
delivered to
'Golden Triangle'
movements
per week
£218,000 £228,000
Norfolk UK
£236,000
Suffolk
92% 94% have access to
of Norfolk of Suffolk
properties properties superfast broadband
£80/m2
average commercial
property price
Over 400 90 minutes compared to £105/m2 average in England
destinations connect by rail to Norwich
to Norwich, Stansted from London
& Schiphol airports 58%
60 minutes of homes in Norfolk and
by rail to Ipswich Suffolk will be powered
from London by energy generated in
the region by 2030
18 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedFelixstowe Port
Local Industrial Strategy 19Norfolk and Suffolk’s Potential A globally recognised, technology-driven, creative and inclusive economy which is leading the transition to a post-carbon economy through sustainable food production and sustainable energy generation. 20 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Clean growth
A globally recognised, technology-driven Suffolk, including agri-food, energy, construction As an area with an outstanding natural
and inclusive economy which is leading the and transport. Coastal flooding, water environment and natural resources which are
transition to a post-carbon economy through resourcing and infrastructure resilience are also particularly vulnerable to climate change but
sustainable food production and sustainable key considerations. where innovative new mitigation measures
energy generation. and technologies are being pioneered.
The results suggest an increase in mean summer
Clean growth sits at the heart of this Local temperatures of at least 0.5°C between the two As an area with a wealth of world-class
Industrial Strategy. Norfolk and Suffolk is at 30-year baseline periods of 1961-90 and 1981- innovation and thinking, and exportable
the forefront of tackling the challenges and 2010. Per capita CO2 emissions estimates for skills along with many award-winning
opportunities of climate change – the area the UK declined from 8.7 to 5.4 tonnes/person businesses that are on the leading edge
will be affected earliest by rising sea levels between 2005 and 2016. Norfolk and Suffolk of a low carbon future.
and changing rainfall patterns, and has major went from having CO2 emissions per capita
research and business strengths in adapting below the UK average in 2005 to above average Addressing the challenges of climate change
to the change. The area’s major strengths in 2016 (5.7 and 5.6 tonnes/person respectively), will require actions across society and by
in energy generation and usage, and high- reflecting the area’s rural character and the many different organisations. Co-ordination of
tech, sustainable agri-food present major importance of road transport. interventions and actions between sectors is
opportunities. The cross-sector opportunities are critical to achieving future clean inclusive growth.
particularly exciting, delivering solutions such as Norfolk and Suffolk’s key strengths and assets
energy self-sufficiency in farming, or using older make it well placed to be at the forefront of the This local industrial strategy sets out targeted
gas platforms for renewable energy generation, clean growth revolution: actions against each of the five foundations of
for example, to make a major contribution to the productivity, which when taken together will
UK’s transition to a post-carbon economy. As the UK’s leading producer of renewable
maximise the contribution of our expertise
and low carbon energy and a significant in clean energy, agri-food and ICT, boosting
Norfolk and Suffolk has an established, dynamic producer of low carbon goods and services. productivity and forging Norfolk and Suffolk’s
and growing low carbon economy which is at future as the UK’s inclusive clean growth region.
the cutting edge of the UK’s response to the As a testbed for innovation in industries
clean growth Grand Challenge. New research such as farming and food production,
commissioned from the world-renowned climate transportation and construction which need
science team at the University of East Anglia to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to
highlights the local impacts and mitigation a changing climate.
opportunities of climate change in Norfolk and
Local Industrial Strategy 21Case The Low Carbon Innovation Fund
Studies operated by the University of East Anglia,
provides equity finance for SMEs in the Norfolk and Suffolk is
East of England that are contributing well placed to be a global
to the low carbon economy. This fund
provides investments from £25k to exemplar for clean, low carbon
£1m to companies from any sector who energy production, exporting
are seeking investment to grow and
develop, reduce their carbon footprint services and skills globally.
THURN Group, based in Acle, received and maximise carbon savings through
industrial strategy challenge funding technologies, products and services. The
for its robot submarines, which enable programme has already invested £20.5m Norfolk and Suffolk has a diverse energy sector
engineers to see hazards that ice may of EU funding matched with nearly £50m with significant generation capacity of solar,
cause to infrastructure, pipelines and ships of private co-investment from UK and wind, nuclear, biomass and gas. It is the only
around the Arctic. international investors. UK region that has such a rich mix of large-scale
energy generation technologies, and expertise
on local generation, utility networks and energy
Strutt and Parker Farms has a significant Muntons is a leading global player in the storage. It has a clear, distinctive and compelling
commitment to renewable energy. supply of malts, malt extracts, flour and offer around its all-energy sector.
Alongside several solar power initiatives, flakes to many well-known names in the
it runs two major anaerobic digesters – food and drinks industry and exports
the plant at Euston, near Thetford, exports 50% of its production. Sustainability
50,000MWh to the National Grid a year. is at the heart of everything Muntons
In a recent project, it took horse muck does. Liquid waste from its ingredients
and straw, processed this through a bio- business at its Stowmarket headquarters
digester to extract biogas and CO2. Using is treated at a £5.4m anaerobic digestion
advanced membranes, it separated out plant, producing a fertiliser substitute
food-grade CO2, which is sold to a local for spreading on local farms, cutting
brewery for use in beer and lemonade. out the 3,000 tanker movements a year
currently required to take sludge from the
site – saving around 340 tonnes in CO2
emissions from the lorries.
22 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedClean energy Bacton Gas Terminal
and network of offshore gas
platforms supplies over a third of
Over 600 2040
the UK's low carbon transition fuel
businesses Planned investment
mainly specialising in offshore £59.4bn in offshore wind a nd
wind, gas and nuclear capital
investment
nuclear power will
produce power for
58%
58% of the UK's homes
12,000 jobs in offshore
Capacity to deliver
with thousands more energy and
employed in the wider £119,200 engineering 50% of sector deal
supply chain GVA per job by 2040 offshore windfarms in operation
and development will meet half
the Offshore Wind Sector Deal’s
30GW target by 2030
Highest
concentration of Experts £1.4bn £193m
offshore windfarms across nuclear contribution to worth of exports
in the UK life cycle the economy with further capacity in the pipelineClean energy
Offshore Energy Production
Norfolk and Suffolk is at the epicentre of the an additional £22bn in private sector capital New and innovative energy technology concepts
world’s largest market for offshore wind energy, expenditure bringing the total operational are being investigated in Norfolk and Suffolk,
worth almost £1bn a year. The two counties have expenditure to £550m3. including offshore desalination, leading to
the potential to benefit more than any other hydrogen fuel production; carbon capture and
area in England from growth in offshore wind Offshore, the area hosts over 100 gas fields, storage; and gas to wire developments linked
jobs, with an additional 6,150 full time well-paid over 150 gas-related platforms and 4,500km to the rejuvenation of the Southern North Sea.
skilled jobs by 2032 (+600 per cent growth)2. of pipelines. Over the next 30 years there is a There is a real opportunity for Norfolk and
potential market of £330bn in decommissioning.4 Suffolk to become a ‘test and demonstration
Norfolk and Suffolk has world-class operations The Southern North Sea is the UK’s natural zone’, highlighting its national and global
and maintenance facilities. The ports of Great gas basin, with a third of the UK’s domestic value. There are opportunities for the reuse
Yarmouth and Lowestoft have benefited from gas requirements handled at the Bacton Gas or repurposing of gas assets either for use by
over 50 years of experience supporting the Terminal in North Norfolk. offshore wind (converting gas platforms in
offshore gas industry and have become strategic accommodation modules) or for the production
centres for the offshore wind sector, positioning Coastal protection works are currently of hydrogen with former gas pipelines used
themselves as England’s premier energy taking place, including a UK-first innovative to deliver the gas to landfall at the Bacton
ports, with the potential for further growth in sandscaping project to protect Bacton Gas Gas Terminal.
operations and maintenance, manufacturing Terminal and the surrounding area for at least
and assembly. a further 25 years. The area is also an ideal exemplar for energy
transition, with oil and gas and offshore wind
Over the last 15 years, £11bn capital has been This strategy recognises the vital role natural gas players co-operating in areas such as offshore
invested, with operational turbines generating will play as part of the ‘energy transition’ as the training, platform electrification from offshore
annual operational and maintenance costs UK moves towards a net-zero economy, further wind, and shared logistics (accommodation,
of £253m. Full build-out of projects under underpinning the role of Norfolk and Suffolk’s vessels and helicopter operations for instance).
construction and in development will require offshore energy sectors.
2
https://aurawindenergy.com/uploads/publications/Aura-EU-Skills-UK-Offshore-Wind-Skills-Study-Full-Report-October-2018.pdf
24 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited 3
4C Offshore – East of England: Enabling Offshore Wind2018 4 4C Offshore – East of England: Enabling Offshore Wind2018Clean energy
Onshore Energy Production
Suffolk is home to three nuclear power stations at operates an anaerobic digester which was the
different stages of their planning and lifecycles – first to export biogas to the grid produced from
Sizewell A is in decommissioning; EDF’s Sizewell brewery and food waste.
B is the UK’s only pressurised water reactor in
operation; and the Sizewell C nuclear new build The bioenergy industry is worth nearly £2bn
project is expected to seek development consent and is based on the scale of agriculture locally,
in 2020. with 13.7 per cent of England’s crop output and
9 per cent of the livestock output. Norfolk and
It is predicted that the Sizewell C power station Suffolk is the largest straw-producing area in the
would inject up to £200m a year into the regional UK, with 313,000 hectares of cereals and 60,000
economy during peak construction5 and £40m hectares of oilseed crops, with an estimated
per year during its 60 years of operation. straw yield of 1.06m tonnes per year.6
Furthermore, Sizewell C would create 25,000
roles during the construction phase with 900
permanent operational jobs created, plus the
need for an ‘outage’ workforce.
Norfolk and Suffolk is the leading area nationally
for animal waste biomass installations with a
third of the national capacity in two large plants
at Thetford and Eye power stations. One of
the UK’s newest straw-fed biomass plants has OrbisEnergy
opened at Snetterton, whilst brewer Adnams
5
https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Planning/Sizewell/Economic-Impact/SZC-Economic-Impact-Appendices-v3.0.pdf
6
https://newanglia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/New-Anglia-Clean-Energy-Skills-Plan_FINAL-March-2019.pdf Local Industrial Strategy 25Clean energy
Clean Energy Generator
Planned investment in new generation nuclear power station, Sizewell C. It is critical Transforming the local energy
projects will result in Norfolk and Suffolk that this is planned and delivered in a strategic
being the largest contributor of clean energy and joined-up way to ensure it does not impact
system and new innovations in
to the UK and central to the UK’s successful on communities and the natural environment, wider energy resource use is
national transition to a zero-carbon economy. which is a key asset for the area and underpins a
highly valuable visitor economy.
also a priority for local partners
Despite the area’s strengths in clean energy, to deliver productivity gains
access to power is limited, holding back housing There is a clear opportunity for Norfolk and
and industrial development in many parts of Suffolk to be better recognised as a global
across all businesses.
the area. Therefore, transforming the local exemplar for clean, low carbon energy
energy system and new innovations in wider production through:
energy resource use is also a priority for local
partners to deliver productivity gains across Exporting services and skills globally;
all businesses.
Expanding the distribution of affordable
Significant investment by National Grid and sustainable energy to local communities
other partners will be needed alongside local and businesses; and
electricity network reinforcement, to support the
offshore energy sector and the proposed new Improving skills locally.
Right: Our region has over 50 years’ expertise
in the oil and gas sector and the world’s largest
windfarms in development off the coast
26 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedLocal Industrial Strategy 27
Clean energy
Ambitious Future Plans
Expand OrbisEnergy’s scope from offshore
renewables to ‘clean energy’, delivering
an ambitious innovation and growth
programme focussing on supply chain
development, new technology solutions,
investment in skills and talent, attracting
investment, increasing global exports and
supporting collaboration across industry to
develop a shared all-energy workforce.
Explore with central government and
regulators developing innovative and locally
targeted planning and regulatory pathways
for new energy projects, and locally funded
infrastructure responsive to environmental
Aviva Solar Carport and community needs.
Local partners will work together to: Support the Greater South East Energy
Hub in developing opportunities across the
Develop an ambitious regional research and
Enhance the capacity and capability of
energy and utility networks and enabling
innovation programme that will build on Norfolk and Suffolk’s ports with a series of more flexible and innovative solutions to the
our existing clean energy research strengths ambitious projects to attract and capture future power generation needs of Norfolk
across our regional universities, Cefas and manufacturing, construction and operations and Suffolk.
ORE Catapult’s new Lowestoft facility, and maintenance investment, to serve the
working closely with industry to deliver offshore energy market and to facilitate and
increased innovation and productivity, new attract business and supply chain clusters
research collaborations and cross-sector and support business incubation.
translational projects.
28 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedCase
Studies
growth. Local investments will have a
3Sun Group, based in Great Yarmouth, led major impact on developing the future Peake Fruit, owned by Boxford Group and
the way in diversifying from a wholly oil energy workforce, including the £11.3m based in Stoke-by-Nayland, were recently
and gas business to more than 90 per cent energy skills centre at East Coast College awarded Best Green Enterprise BALE
renewables. It has been integral in the in Lowestoft. Award for their anaerobic digester fed
installation, servicing and maintenance by the pomace from the Konings Copella
of offshore wind turbines in the UK and juice plant and maize. The family business
European waters through the supply Aviva Solar Carport Norwich – One of (operating over 80 years) has a number of
of skilled technicians and statutory the largest solar carports in the UK was biomass boilers and solar panels across
inspection teams. 3Sun has gained a completed for Aviva by Norfolk-based their agricultural and leisure sites. The
global reputation for expert operational RenEnergy. More than 542,000 kWh of energy produced is stored on-site and is
support services specialising in the UK, power, enough to power 138 homes, may be used to power their site systems, chiller
German and Danish markets. generated by the carport at Aviva’s Horizon storage and hotel. This business and
building in Norwich. During peak hours, the many others across Norfolk and Suffolk
office (accommodating 1,000 employees) will are working hard to transform traditional
Energy sector skills – Strong co-ordination effectively be off-grid and powered 100% agricultural businesses through the use of
of energy skills initiatives is key to by the sun. Annually this system will provide technology and clean energy.
ensuring that skills needs are met. Local more than 63% of the site’s total energy
partners are delivering an energy sector demand – a carbon offset saving of 166.5
skills plan which focuses on a higher tonnes p.a. The carport has futureproofed
technical engineering offer; mobilises the Horizon office to allow for the addition
industry leadership; builds workforce of electric vehicle charging infrastructure,
transferability; addresses overall energy enabling employees to charge their low
skills fragility; and delivers inclusive carbon vehicles directly from the sun.
Local Industrial Strategy 292% UK's population
Agri-food
LEP
area
4%
accounts UK landmass
for…
£3.5bn
Largest agri-food output
of any LEP area at
11% Agri input
93,300 8,885 Exports worth
jobs businesses £569m
Output per job is high
12% 16.6% 22.7% 17.6% 60%
at £38,500 of the of the UK’s fruit of the of the UK’s of the UK’s
making it a productive sector. UK’s cereals and vegetables UK’s pigs poultry production sugar
30 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedAgri-food
A regional focus for agri-food innovation
Norfolk and Suffolk has the The world-leading Norwich Research Park is The Centre now employs some 600 staff
at the forefront of global agri-food research between Lowestoft, Weymouth, English ports,
innovation and expertise to and innovation, employing 3,000 scientists Kuwait and Oman. This is the UK’s most diverse
develop, pioneer and apply and clinicians. centre for applied marine and freshwater science
and research, providing innovative solutions for
new approaches to sustainable It is a UK asset equipped to make a leading the aquatic environment, biodiversity and food
agriculture, utilising clean contribution to the major challenges of food security. A trusted bridge between government,
and energy security, healthy ageing and living academia and industry, CEFAS provides a
energy and innovative water with environmental change. It is Europe’s largest multidisciplinary approach to a range of sectors
management, and increase value- single-site hub of research, training, education including offshore renewables, fisheries, marine
and enterprise in food and health. It brings and coastal infrastructure, and shipping.
added processing and exports together several research organisations with
through the applications of new global reputations:
technologies and systems. • the John Innes Centre
• the Earlham Institute
• the Quadram Institute
• The Sainsbury Laboratory
• University of East Anglia
• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
(CEFAS) has been based in Lowestoft since 1902,
when it began as a small fisheries laboratory.
Tropic Biosciences
Local Industrial Strategy 31Agri-food
The climate, labour and technology challenge
Alongside this global research expertise, Local agricultural businesses have recognised from switching more primary production to spelt
Norfolk and Suffolk has some of the most the need to adapt in response to the climate and other cereals used in gluten-free flours, to
productive farmland in the UK. However, the emergency, biodiversity challenge and developing new plant-based foods informed by
impact of climate change is bringing drier technological change. There is a growing the food innovation programme at the Quadram
summers and wetter winters overall, with appetite to meet the challenge, with the right Institute. Supporting businesses to adapt their
the likelihood of extreme rainfall events kind of support.8 But across the agri-food sector, products to meet the changing demands of the
increasing and extreme weather events innovation is concentrated in a small number modern consumer will be important.
becoming more frequent7. of high performing businesses. There is a big
opportunity to improve the diffusion of ideas and
The changing pattern of rainfall is already technology further through the farming base.
leading to water abstraction restrictions, which is
likely to have an impact on growers. Norfolk and Biodiversity and healthy soils are key to a
Suffolk is at the forefront of the challenge, as sustainable environment and effective carbon
well as the research needed to adapt to it. capture, acknowledged by UK leaders in these
areas working here – such as the team at the
Machine learning, automation, material science Holkham Estate. But farming more widely
and satellite technology have the potential to faces a major challenge in its capacity and Increasing consumer
increase productivity and improve sustainability ability to adapt and adopt new techniques and demand for food traceability
across the food supply chain. Adoption of technologies.
technology is also needed to address challenges and sustainability presents
created by a lack of labour supply, raising Increasing consumer demand for food traceability an opportunity for growers
productivity and creating higher skilled, higher and sustainability presents an opportunity for
paid jobs. growers and processors alike. This could range and processors alike.
7
Scoping Report for the New Anglia LEP Climate Change Adaptation and Carbon Reduction Strategy, UEA Consulting, 2019 page 12
32 Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited 8
https://www.eadt.co.uk/business/farming/suffolk-and-norfolk-nfu-chairs-reaction-to-rsa-sustainability-report-1-6170278Agri-food
Increasing Processing Value
Norfolk and Suffolk is home to an advanced Norfolk and Suffolk will explore, working with
and nationally significant food and drink sector, others, the scope for capacity support and new
with globally renowned companies including skills development to encourage farmers to
Kettle Chips, Greene King, Pasta Foods, Muntons, adopt new approaches and to better understand
British Sugar, Aspall Cyder, Mars Food, Bernard the opportunities for innovation. There is
Matthews and Birds Eye. There are many more significant potential for effective mentoring
quality processing businesses with potential to and sector leadership.
grow in domestic and international markets.
The area only processes 50 per cent of the food
it grows. The opportunity to add value to the
economy with an increase in processing and
high-tech production methods is substantial.
A 50 per cent increase in processing locally
grown food could add over £2bn to the economy.
Automation, enhanced use of information
technology and other innovations also present
opportunities to increase the productivity of
these businesses, enhance sustainability and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is
a commitment locally to help businesses
develop the skills and technology needed to
take this opportunity.
Right: Our region produces
11% of the UK’s food and drink
Local Industrial Strategy 33Agri-food
Case
Ambitious Studies
Future Plans
fuel-efficient processes available to turn
Local partners will work together to: Crop Systems in Happisburgh, North over two million tonnes of sugar beet into
Norfolk is an industry-leading innovator 320,000 tonnes of sugar. In 2016 British
Invest in a Food Hub based at the Food
in modern crop storage. Its WarmStor Sugar invested £15m in a new Anaerobic
Enterprise Zone site at Honingham Thorpe product is a revolutionary low-energy Digestion (AD) plant at Bury St Edmunds,
in Norwich, to deliver business growth system for the automatic conditioning producing energy in the form of electricity.
through innovation, productivity, processing, of potatoes for the packing industry. While a small proportion is used to power
exports and supporting new start-ups. Air source heat pumps are used to bring the AD plant, making it self-sufficient,
cold stored potatoes up to the required the majority (up to 5MW) is being
Explore ways of attracting inward
temperature for packing and also exported to the National Grid as clean
investment to enable higher value provide rapid cooling of new potatoes. renewable electricity.
food production. It also produces SmartStor, a system
that manages the atmosphere in potato
Collaborate with partners including
stores with total remote control and Hargreaves Plants, near King's Lynn,
Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and management. TaperStor and PosiStor are is a leading berry fruit, asparagus and
Peterborough leveraging the existing innovative potato storage facilities which rhubarb nursery, with one of the UK’s
strengths of Agri-Tech East to realise the maximise airflow and store conditions to largest micropropagation labs. A £47,000
collective power as the UK centre for keep the potatoes better for longer. grant from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth
high-tech, precision agriculture and Initiative enabled it to develop several
food production. new varieties of rhubarb to support
British Sugar supplies around half of the the growing popularity of rhubarb
Develop a world-leading hub for plant and
UK’s sugar and supports 9,500 jobs. The with consumers.
microbial research at the John Innes Centre. advanced manufacturing plant in Bury
St Edmunds uses Combined Heat and
Power (CHP) which is one of the most
34 Norfolk & Suffolk UnlimitedICT Digital
Workforce of 23,400 £59,100 £293m
GVA per job worth of exports
a further 35,000
digital technologists and engineers are active in companies
in these and other local sectors, more than doubling the size
of the digital tech workforce
10,000 tech
roles / vacancies
£1.4bn to be filled
contribution
to the UK PLC by 2024
Local Industrial Strategy 35ICT Digital
The strategy plans to grow and secure the Rainbird, Fountain Partnership and Foolproof) primary industries, such as web and software
information and communications technology as well as micro start-ups and freelancers. design, and in customer experience in the
(ICT) and digital creative clusters at Adastral The sector overlaps and interlinks with the broader digital economy.
Park and Norwich as national assets, and build financial and insurance services and business
the integrated networks that businesses need services sector. There is real growth potential, UEA and NUA have developed partnerships with
including the UK’s first advanced high-speed but the sector is also a driver for innovation, Aviva and Virgin Money to respond to the digital
optical wireless network. creativity and productivity across the broader demands of the FinTech finance sector and support
business base. SMEs within the local tech networking groups.
Norfolk and Suffolk’s ICT and digital creative
opportunity is both fast-growing and high-value. University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norwich SyncNorwich, with over 1,300 members,
It is at the cutting edge of digital innovation, with University of the Arts (NUA) are key to the provides a vibrant networking programme
distinctive strengths in telecoms, cyber security, supply of talent for the Norwich area. UEA that supports business start-ups, business
quantum technology, artificial intelligence, ranked 15th of the UK’s universities9, has global development and ongoing good practice sharing
Internet of Things and user experience design. pull with students drawn to specialisms that for the local technology community. Other
It is also imperative in supporting productivity include computing science, computer systems networking groups include Norfolk Developers
growth and technology-driven innovation across engineering, business information systems, and Hot Source.
all local sectors and delivering the Artificial computer graphics, imaging and multimedia, data
Intelligence and Data Grand Challenge, for mining, engineering and environmental science. Adastral Park
example through agri-tech and the application Adastral Park, near Ipswich, is home to
of advanced intelligent information technology NUA is ranked the UK number 1 and in the BT’s Global Research and Development
supporting the low carbon energy transition. It world's top 10 for games by the gaming headquarters, and a growing cluster of over 120
is anchored by recognised tech clusters centred industry10 and has secured an international high-tech companies at Innovation Martlesham,
on Norwich’s fast-growing digital creative hub, reputation for producing graduates who excel in employing almost 4,000 people, generating
and at Adastral Park near Ipswich. There are a constantly evolving industry and the emerging £515m gross value with a comparatively high
opportunities to exploit the area's advantageous cluster. It is also gaining national recognition productivity rate of £140,000 per job. It is
proximity to the Cambridge cluster and London for its user experience and digital design home to the largest test and integration facility
Liverpool Street. courses. and is home to the Ideas Factory in Europe and the world’s first ‘real-world’
incubation centre for digital creative businesses demonstration of quantum encryption. Adastral
Norwich – Digital Creative Cluster and user experience lab. Park is the third largest patent filer in the UK
The cluster is characterised by several high- and number one for artificial Intelligence
performing home-grown businesses (many of There is major demand for user experience technologies.
which are global players including Epos Now, standard skills across both digital creative
9
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
10
https://www.nua.ac.uk/study-at-nua/courses/ba-hons-games-art-design/
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