A BID to secure investment and jobs for an Essex coastal town hoping to become a major centre for renewable energy is being taken to Europe.

Council bosses will present the case for Harwich as a significant location for the wind-farm industry at a conference in Brussels.

It is part of the European Union’s Sustainable Energy Week which takes place from April 11 to 15.

A team from Tendring District Council (TDC) and Essex County Council (ECC) will represent the town at the ‘Winds of Change in the North Sea’ event on April 13.

Matthew Hill, managing director of the council-run Tendring Regeneration Ltd, said: “It is a chance for us to showcase and promote the windport offer in Harwich and the whole of Essex.

“There will be representatives from local government, civil society and the wind energy industry present. We will be able to network with some of the major players and put our case forward.”

County councillor for the environment Kay Twitchen, who will be chairing the event, said: “Essex is well placed to succeed in achieving further investment from the renewable energy sector. The county already has a strong manufacturing industry and a well-developed ports and logistics trade.

“These, coupled with excellent access to the latest round three wind farm sites makes it an ideal location for businesses looking to profit from the sector and ultimately means more jobs for Essex.”

The Sustainable Energy Week is aiming to showcase the latest innovations in energy efficiency and renewable-energy technology, policy and practice.

There will be a packed programme of high-level debates, conferences and exhibitions.

Along with its partners TDC recently put in a �5million bid for Regional Growth Fund cash with the aim to create a regional windport skills and business centre in Harwich to support existing wind-farm companies.

If the bid is successful it will see around �3million heading to the town for the project.

The council’s partners include Tendring Regeneration Ltd, Haven Gateway Partnership and ECC.

The renewable energy industry is seen as a major opportunity to boost employment and regeneration not only in Harwich but the whole of Tendring and beyond.

It will also help tackle some of the issues of deprivation currently faced by the district.