Small and medium-sized energy businesses in the region are set to benefit from a �2.2m programme which will provide support and advice to help them to grow.

The East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) will be rolling out the programme – part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – to promote the region's low carbon energy businesses and to seize opportunities to help improve the supply chain in this part of the world.

Businesses across the low carbon energy industries in the East of England – including the gas, renewables and nuclear sectors – will be able to take part in conferences and promotion events, business-to-business networking, and the money will also help them to access market information. They will also be given free access to top business consultants who will analyse and develop bespoke plans for them as well as helping with grants and funding. Who will also help refer the businesses to valuable contacts within the supply chain.

It comes as six sites in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft will become an enterprise zone in April which will bring tax breaks and relaxed planning rules for businesses moving on to the sites.

In November the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area was also one of five regions given Centre for Offshore Engineering (CORE) status.

EEEGR chief executive John Best said: 'The region's energy sector is booming in every part of the supply chain. New opportunities in offshore gas, decommissioning, offshore wind and nuclear are collectively worth more than �50bn over the coming years.

'Securing funding from ERDF has enabled EEEGR to deliver a wider range of services to the region's energy supply chain. We are delighted to launch this new programme at a time when the business opportunities across the energy sector in this region are at their greatest.'

Gorleston energy consultants Nautilus Associates Ltd will be rolling out the enhanced supply chain and business improvement programme.

EEEGR's next flagship conference, SNS12: The Sea of Opportunity, will be hosted in Norwich on the 1st March. At the event some of the industry's biggest names will be outlining some of the many contract and business opportunities on offer over the coming years.

Gorleston energy consultants Nautilus Associates Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver the 'enhanced supply chain and business improvement programme'

John Balch, Managing Director of Nautilus Associates said 'It's clear that the opportunities across the energy industry in this region are plentiful. With a right heritage and strong prospects for almost every part of the energy supply chain, we feel privileged to have been awarded this contract to support companies in achieving their development plans and to be contributing part of this region's continued growth.'

Whether your company is already working in the sector, or has aspirations to grow into the industry, this new support can help to maximise the chances of success. If you would like to explore how your company could benefit from FREE supply chain and business development support, contact EEEGR or Nautilus Associates directly at supplychain@eeegr.com or call 01502 509266.