East Anglia is an area of expanding opportunity

East Anglia is one of the fastest growing areas in the UK, with potential population growth of a million people by 2045. But is one of the driest regions in the country, with only two thirds of the average UK rainfall and a delicate environmental balance. Together, these challenges make the region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including drought and flooding.

Agriculture is a major industry in the region

East Anglia is described as “Britain’s breadbasket”, but sugar beet, potatoes, poultry and pig farming are also important in the region.

The energy sector in East Anglia has significant renewables potential

Solar farms, off-shore wind farm projects and nuclear power all potentially delivering a major component of the UK’s green and renewable energy. Sizewell B currently produces 3% of the UK’s energy needs, and its operational life may be extended 20 years beyond the planned 2035 operational cut off. Sizewell C in Suffolk is also planned as one of the new generation of nuclear power stations, potentially generating 7% of the UK’s energy needs. The UK has been a global leader in offshore wind farms, many of which are sites off East Anglia and in the North Sea; these require onshore cabling connections to the National Grid.

Transport

• The Port of Felixstowe is the busiest container port in the UK
• The main road network into the area consists of the A12, A47 and A14, and these have been or are being upgraded
• Stansted Airport is London’s third busiest airport.