Since gas was first produced in the Southern North Sea 50 years ago, our region has developed into a vital hub of energy production.
Our renewables capacity represents some 10pc of the UK market, and plans for nuclear power are on the agenda.
ScottishPower Renewables, as part of the East Anglia ONE project, secured a Contract for Difference that will see around 100 wind turbines installed in the Southern North Sea. With an overall investment of around £2bn the project could meet the electricity demands of around 500,000 homes.
Fifteen years into the 21st century there is every reason to believe that the innovative spirit, adaptability and resilience of our commercial base will continue to develop our role in energy production and make a positive impact on the national, and local, economy.
However, the course we set half a century ago is far from plain sailing. There are storms on the horizon.
An unforeseeable fall in oil prices has had an equally unpredictable effect on the gas market. Gas demand is sensitive to weather and, with a supreme irony, good weather was bad news. Relatively cheap coal reappeared as the fuel of choice for power generation, and the effect of that was a reduction in market share for gas.
Plug in to the electricity market and factors such as 'lighting up time', and an increased supply are not stabilising influences.
In general, the sector has suffered downward pressure from an increased awareness of, and consumer preparedness to engage in, energy efficiency. Set this in a time of economic recession, rub into those wounds the salt of rising domestic bills, and energy starts to feel the pain.
In fact, smarting consumers, and their household costs, are the key drivers in pushing energy higher up the political agenda. Looked at objectively that agenda is complicated. The Labour Party's proposed energy pricing freeze might receive a warm welcome on the home front, but it could blow an icy chill through commercial competition. The Liberal Democrat stance is still focused on a more sustainable, more green, economy. Meanwhile their current partners in coalition, the Conservative Party could be said to be rather less robust than they were on low carbon issues.
Energy is now hard wired into the general election campaign, and its future in the east is, largely, in the hands of Westminster.
However, the commercial zeal and foresight of our region bodes well for the coming years. A £50m solar energy farm at the former RAF Coltishall base has been given planning permission and plans are in place for a Norwich based £325m energy plant burning 200,000 tonnes of compressed straw.
If we are to ride out the storms, and deliver our potential, a key factor must be the skills base. Attraction and retention are essential. Ultimately key skills and personnel will be the most essential fuels to drive our energy sector, whoever is in power.
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