Energy Security Benefits
Energy security means having a reliable and uninterrupted supply of energy to meet the needs of people, businesses and communities – both now and in the future.
For the East of England and the UK as a whole, enhancing energy security is about reducing reliance on overseas imports, increasing domestic generation, and building greater flexibility and resilience into our energy system.
The East of England is already at the forefront of this shift. With around 9GW of clean and renewable energy already operational and more than 17GW in the pipeline, the region is playing a pivotal role in powering the UK’s transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future. And when the wind isn’t blowing, or the sun isn’t shining, nuclear from Sizewell B and in future Sizewell C will step in — capable of providing enough low-carbon electricity to power around 8.5 million homes (combined), ensuring continuity whatever the weather.
New infrastructure such as large-scale solar farms, emerging hydrogen hubs, and energy storage facilities will further diversify our energy mix and strengthen grid resilience. Planned upgrades to our transmission network — including projects like Sea Link and Bramford to Twinstead — will ensure that clean energy can be delivered efficiently and reliably, across the region and beyond.
The benefits are not just national — they’re local too. Distributed energy systems, smart grid upgrades, and community-scale projects mean faster fault detection, quicker response times, and even the potential for energy self-sufficiency during wider disruptions. These developments will help ensure that local homes, schools, and businesses can keep the lights on during future energy shocks.
By increasing the UK’s ability to generate and distribute its own clean energy, we are also reducing our exposure to global market volatility and geopolitical risks — something brought into sharp focus by the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In today’s uncertain world, energy security is national security. The infrastructure now being delivered across the East of England will not only power our homes and businesses — it will help protect our future.