Mr Shanks will open the two-day Southern North Sea Conference (SNS2026), which brings together more than 1,500 professionals from across the energy sector.

Kevin Keable, chairman of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), which puts on the annual conference, said the minister's visit reflects the East's position as a "world-leading energy region".

He said: “EEEGR has led sustained engagement between government and industry, engaging with senior national figures and bringing some to the region to witness and understand its capabilities first-hand, including hosting GB Energy’s supply chain director at last year’s conference.

“The East of England is a world-leading energy region, combining offshore wind, nuclear and a gas heritage stretching back more than six decades.

"Around a third of the UK’s gas comes ashore at Bacton, with plans progressing to develop a major energy hub focused on carbon capture and hydrogen.

“With major projects, including the £38 billion Sizewell C development and life extension plans for Sizewell B, alongside significant offshore wind deployment and a strong project pipeline, the region is already delivering energy at scale and is well positioned for future growth.”

Kevin Keable, chairman of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Shanks will lead the plenary session on the opening day of the conference on Wednesday, May 20.

The theme for SNS2026 is 'The Next 25 Years'.

The event at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich also marks the 25th anniversary of EEEGR, which represents hundreds of businesses and provides a single, coordinated voice for the region’s energy sector.

“This is about more than energy," Mr Keable added. "It is about jobs, skills and building a globally competitive supply chain that delivers long-term economic growth.

“SNS is not just our flagship event - it represents what this region does best: a fully integrated energy system, a coordinated supply chain and a single, confident voice capable of helping to deliver the UK’s energy future at pace and scale.”

© Norwich Evening News