PRLog (Press Release)– May 26, 2011– Entitled 'Somerset – The Energy to Achieve', the Conference attracted over 200 delegates who were eager to learn more corsa about the exceptional opportunities within the county's vibrant energy industry.
Organised jointly by inward investment body Into Somerset and the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, the annual Conference highlighted the area's low carbon strengths and some of the key opportunities for businesses both within and outside the county.
Chair of Into Somerset, Cllr Anne Fraser, said, "Despite the recent tough economic times, Somerset and its business community has remained resolute, looking for new ways to stay competitive. Change means there are opportunities – opportunities to develop new skills i buick n the workforce and opportunities to build new markets and to secure competitive advantage."
Delegates heard a range of viewpoints, from those grappling with national policy decisions, such as Senior Civil Servant Hergen Haye from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), w aston martin ho provided a national perspective on renewable energy, to those involved in the practical application of new technologies.
Commenting on the renewable energy sector in the UK, Haye said, "We need to train up the workforce, expand businesses, have more start-up new businesses and we should also aim to attract business from elsewhere in the country and overseas. In the long term, we should aim to become leaders in the business field, to enable us to invest and operate abroad. Together we can change the perception that new build programmes rely on labour from overseas. We have the opportunity to strengthen workforces and business opportunities, whether it is in construction, engineering or hospitality and transport. The framework is there and the instruments are available dodge to support and to finance the project. The question is, will businesses rise to the challenge, take the opportunity and make it happen?"
Other keynote speakers included Interim-Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, who presented details about what the new partnership means to the area, and representatives from key low carbon linked organisations such as EDF Energy, Environmental Technologies iNET and Viridor.
EDF Energy has been working with Into Somerset to develop a robust supply chain to support its proposed £10billion investment in Hinkley Point. Through Into Somerset, companies that wish to move to Somerset from elsewhere in the UK or overseas can benefit from advice and assistance to help them secure a place on invitation to tender lists and develop successful bids.
Discussing the proposed new nuclear build at Hinkley Point and the opportunities it offers for businesses, Alan Cummings, Procurement Director for EDF Energy, said, "Nothing of this scale has been built in the UK for the past thirty years. EDF is the biggest nuclear operator in the world and this is the first English speaking supply chain developed. The build will be looked upon globally as a model for 1086274749 how nuclear power plants will be built in the future."
The presentation slides from the event are available to download from the Into Somerset website at www.into-somerset.co.uk, so investors and business people who were unable to attend the Conference can find out more about the energy and environmental technology opportunities that Somerset has to offer.
For more information about the many varied opportunities that Somerset can offer, or for advice and guidance on setting up a business in Somerset, call on 0845 1222 066 or visit www.intosomerset.co.uk.
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