THE 2012 NOF Energy Conference in Gateshead on March 7, will focus on the role supply chain companies have to play in achieving a balanced energy future.
This exciting conference and exhibition brings together representatives from the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewable sectors to debate what the future has to hold for the industry and the opportunities it will offer the supply chain.
We have assembled a strong panel of speakers, exhibitors and VIP guests who will provide delegates with a marvellous insight into the growth and diversification of the energy market – and of course, provide excellent networking opportunities.
I am particularly delighted that we will be welcoming back to the region Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP, who will open the conference and discuss Government energy policy for the next year and beyond.
Mr Hendry will also have the opportunity to see how the supply chain is addressing the challenges facing the industry.
If the European Union and the UK Government are to achieve their energy targets through the implementation of a balanced energy mix, they will require the support of an effective and cross-sector supply chain.
It is essential relatively new sectors such as offshore renewables and the re-emergence of new nuclear can call upon a supply chain that contains companies as effective and globally-respected as those operating in the oil and
gas sector. Leading industry executives will be in attendance at the conference to discuss the role of oil and gas, nuclear and offshore renewables in achieving a balanced energy mix and highlight the need for a multi-skilled, integrated supply chain that can easily move with them to the new emerging energy sectors.
Based on the success of the first annual conference and exhibition in 2011, which had more than 200 attendees, this year’s event will still be very much in the NOF Energy tradition of highlighting current opportunities and providing significant time for delegates to network and meet with representatives from across the energy sector.
These VIP guests, including representatives from EDF Energy, Areva, Siemens and AMEC, will be available for networking along with other delegates and speakers from across the sector.
So, unlike a lot of conferences, this event won’t be about listening to presentations all day, but having plenty of time to move around the venue and network with key industry executives.
The whole event will be highly interactive and the ideal occasion to understand the challenges, but more importantly for delegates to identify the opportunities that will present themselves over the next couple of years and over the next decade in existing and new emerging energy sectors.
By George Rafferty, chief executive, NOF Energy
