UK: Energy Minister Shows Government’s Support to UK Supply Chain at NOF Energy Conference

Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting UK supply chain companies’ ambitions to win contracts at NOF Energy’s annual conference.

Mr Hendry, who is Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, was speaking at NOF Energy’s conference, Energy: A Balanced Future in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (7/3/12).

He praised the quality of companies in the UK supply chain and the desire of the Government to ensure British suppliers were not only more visible to international operators, but regularly part of tender lists for contracts.

In excess of 250 delegates from the UK and international supply chain were in attendance for Mr Hendry’s speech at the conference, including a delegation from Brazil, which was followed by a series of presentations from leading executives from across the energy sectors.

Sponsored by Dickinson Dees and Tees Valley Unlimited, the conference addressed the role the supply chain has to play in achieving a balanced energy future

A strong panel of speakers, exhibitors and leading executives from respected organisations, including EDF Energy, Areva, Seimens, Wood Group PSN and AMEC discussed the future of the energy sectors served by a multi-skilled, adaptable, integrated supply chain.

 Charles Hendry said: “The role of the supply chain in a balanced energy future is an important issue for the whole economy. What we are determined to achieve in the oil & gas, nuclear and renewables sectors is much higher elements of British content. We want companies investing in the UK to understand the excellence and skills that exist among the businesses here which can meet their needs.

 “We also want to be much clearer about what government can do to remove barriers for companies as they try to win international contracts.

 “UK companies are well-established with a strong track record of doing business internationally and have a skilled and willing workforce. We can support them by constantly reminding people of the skills that exist here.

 “We need £200bn of new investment in our energy sector and we want that money to bring in an enormous amount of jobs right across the United Kingdom because we believe we have the best skills to offer the market.

 “I don’t want that manufacturing excellence and success just to be the North East history, I want it to be its future as well.”

 George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “it was pleasing to hear the Minister’s endorsement of the UK supply chain and the Government’s continuing support to achieve a greater element of ‘UK content’ in energy sector contracts.”

 “His comments really set the tone for the conference, which provided the ideal opportunity for attendees to understand the challenges and future prospects over the next couple of decades in the existing and new emerging energy sectors.”

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, March 08, 2012; Image: recognitionpr