Wind energy firm ScottishPower Renewables has agreed a 2016 sponsorship agreement with the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) for five important industry events in the region this year.

The deal comes on the back of the company’s final investment decision for the £2.5billion East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm scheme, which will start to take shape next year.

The firm is also funding four scholarship places at the University of East Anglia for postgraduate students keen to continue their studies in energy engineering and environmental studies.

The events sponsorship kicks off with EEEGR’s flagship Southern North Sea conference, which takes place tomorrow and Thursday at Norfolk Showground. It will be the largest conference and exhibition EEEGR has ever delivered, with around 500 delegates from across the industry and supply chain. Key industry players will discuss and debate opportunities and issues, and network.

Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables East Anglia ONE project director, said: “Over the past year we have held a number of successful supply chain events across the region in conjunction with EEEGR so it seemed a very natural progression to formalise our commitment with this sponsorship.

“We have been really impressed at the number of people attending the EEEGR events and feel this is a great way for us to showcase East Anglia ONE and the subsequent three wind farms ScottishPower Renewables is planning to build off the East coast.”