March is turning out to be dynamic month with outstanding collaboration across public and private sectors and forward momentum to kick start a new era of international investment into Dorset – inspiring investors to work in the UK and inspiring young people about future facing sectors and careers requiring green skills.

The 27^th March 2025 saw a milestone event held at the Dorset Innovation Park: the day the Pan Dorset Framework for Growth was launched.

The Dorset Clean Energy Clusterwas presented to the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board and wider stakeholders.

Currently the home of the largest onshore oil field in Western Europe and former nuclear innovation facilities, Dorset is pivoting to lead transition into a cleaner, greener economy that benefits its communities. Dorset is set to play a role in accelerating delivery of the Government’s Industrial Strategy to help with transition to net zero, boosting clean power and spreading growth to the tip of the South Coast at Portland. It can strengthen renewable power generation from the English Channel, expanding the Celtic Sea offshore wind opportunity, support the UK capability for manufacturing, construction, and servicing of the offshore wind sector, import and store hydrogen as a clean power source, abate carbon dioxide from high emitters and host a new generation of SMRs. Outside of the nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPS) there is a wider network of energy innovation that can play its part in the future.

Whilst we do need to transition the North Sea area away from fossil fuels to clean energy, we must also transition the South Coast and the English Channel to ensure UK energy resilience, security and to accelerate transition to net zero.

My thanks to  both the LEP leadership team and Dorset Council to invite me to work with them to explore the potential of the NSIPs emerging in Dorset and to respond to the Government’s Industrial Strategy.  From 1 April 2025 the LEP functions will be integrated into Dorset Council. The Council is positively embracing its challenges and the opportunities presented by infrastructure projects at scale to transform the areas prospects and long term sustainability.

The Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster and Dorset Council will be attending UK REiif in May, working with the Great South West team, to continue to shape and align processes to align to enable pathways into delivery.