Shaping a Net Zero future in North East England - Q&A with Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF
Posted on 26 September 2025
Hundreds of delegates, more than 60 exhibitors and over 20 expert speakers will be at the beautiful Wynyard Hall near Billingham on October 2, as NOF hosts its second Net Zero Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition.
The event will be focusing on how North East England and Teesside are powering the energy transition, with carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, lithium and geothermal energy all taking centre stage.
The Net Zero Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will also provide vital information on project updates and opportunities - including supply chain focused side sessions - and will help delegates understand the regional industrial landscape, including its major fabricators, contractors and industrial hubs.
With anticipation building for the event, Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, takes a tour of the Net Zero landscape across North East England, from the groundbreaking projects taking shape on Teesside, to the potential for further industrial growth in the region.
What excites you most about the extent of investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure in North East England and Teesside?
In my 30 years of working in the energy sector in this region, there has never been a more exiting time. Why? Because there is so much going on across multiple energy sectors. Indeed, we are spoilt for choice with the opportunities coming our way both now and in the future
The fact that North East England and Teesside are now firmly on the UK energy transition map, and that we are demonstrating a significant contribution to a clean energy future, speaks volumes. I think businesses in our region are really proud to be involved in the new projects… and the supply chain opportunities are vast.
In addition, there is a huge appetite among companies at all levels to invest in regional infrastructure, manufacturing, service delivery and people, so that we can capitalise on the energy transition opportunity.
How transformational will the NZT Power, H2Teesside and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture CCS and hydrogen projects be for Teesside – and what impact could they have on the development of emerging technologies?
These projects will reduce CO₂ emissions from power generation and heavy industry in Teesside, helping the UK to meet Net Zero targets and provide low carbon power.
In addition to job creation, both during construction and during operations and maintenance, the projects will boost local supply chains, encourage further skills development and act as a catalyst for attracting further investment.
These emerging industries will command fresh thinking when it comes to their need for new technology to support the projects: this will provide opportunities for local businesses to demonstrate what they have on offer that is innovative and different.
Industrial diversification is in North East England’s DNA so embracing new energy sectors will be exciting for all involved. This means Teesside is fast becoming an exemplar for industrial decarbonisation in the UK.
What unique capabilities does Teesside have in supporting CCS, hydrogen and energy storage?
Teesside has several unique and strategic attributes that make it especially well-suited to support CCS, hydrogen production and energy storage.
The area is already home to one of the UK’s largest industrial clusters, with many emitters. Co-locating CCS infrastructure with existing emitters cuts transport costs and accelerates decarbonisation where CO2 emissions are significant and most concentrated.
In close proximity to the region there is the Endurance saline aquifer: this is one of the UK’s most significant CO2 storage sites, which reduces pipeline costs, and increases safety and scalability. Having an existing energy and pipeline infrastructure is also a major benefit.
Regarding Hydrogen, this needs both supply and demand in the same place to scale economically. Teesside has both, plus storage capacity
Added to the mix is the Teesworks site and the potential for further development, Teesside Freeport, strong political advocacy, a huge skills base, and two strong industry cluster organisations in the shape of Energi Coast and NEPIC, who have supported the local supply chains for many years.
What impact could the UK Government’s industrial strategy have on the clean energy sector in Teesside and the wider North East England?
If the industrial strategy is well implemented, the region would benefit from new investment. It could become a major industrial scale CCUS and hydrogen hub and contribute to the nuclear renaissance with the development and installation of small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors in the area.
In addition, it could attract future leasing rounds for offshore wind - there is a lot of great work being done by Energi Coast on its deepwater offshore wind campaign to support this.
Renewable transport fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are bringing new opportunities and the potential for further developments in energy storage is also growing.
Successful implementation of the industrial strategy would also result in a stronger manufacturing base with enhanced infrastructure and open a window of opportunity for regional businesses and academia to work together to introduce new technologies to the sector. More job creation and new economic wealth will flow from this. Ultimately, the strategy supports the UK’s drive to Net Zero and energy security.
What more could be done to stimulate and support further growth?
Greater confidence in the UK’s long-term energy policy and putting better support mechanisms in place to encourage investment is needed.
Location is also a factor. As a region we still have to spend time explaining where we are geographically in a UK context, along with educating industry, government and investors on the extent of our industrial base and expertise across the energy sector.
North East England may be a best kept secret, but the sleeping giant is awakening. We intend to let the world know where we are, who we are and how brilliant we are in the energy sector.
How can North East SMEs contribute to the green energy supply chain?
The region has a concentrated, extensive supply base that is in demand nationally and internationally. There is a lot of skills and expertise in one place.
Plus, as many companies have decades of heritage in oil & gas, they can offer an extensive range of products and services. Supply chain businesses have successfully diversified across the energy industry, meaning they are fleet of foot in adapting to new opportunities. We are proud to now have an integrated energy sector supply chain.
The breadth of experience – from heavy engineering, manufacturing and fabrication, to marine and subsea – plus a real drive to succeed means that North East England’s industrial community is in high demand. Long may that continue.
What role is NOF playing in supporting the Net Zero supply chain?
As a supply chain-led membership organisation for the UK energy sector, it is important that NOF is clear in the role it plays to support Net Zero.
As a business development organisation, we are educating our members on the types of Net Zero opportunities and projects that are presenting, and we’re helping them to diversify across the sector and speak to the right people. We keep in touch with our members on a regular basis to ensure they are tapping into our business support and contacts for any introductions they may need.
Our introductions and events have already led to significant business for members.
What advice would you give to companies who would like to engage with the projects, contractors and developers in the clean energy sector on Teesside? Where would they start?
Everything starts with a conversation. It may be a conversation at an event; a conversation we have helped establish through NOF’s introduction service or a conversation generated through a member helping another member (encouraging inter-trading and ‘in network’ mentoring is something we strongly encourage).
In addition, please keep in touch with the NOF team. They are full of knowledge, have an enviable contact network which members can tap into but most importantly they put their heart and soul into helping members.
Why should a company attend the Net Zero Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition?
I honestly feel that it is one of the best programmes we have pulled together. It’s like a who’s who of North East of England businesses and projects, right across the energy mix.
This conference and exhibition has lots of punchy presentations, side sessions, networking, and a very busy exhibition, and of course the NOF team are on standby to make those all-important introductions.
And – spoiler alert – we will be telling you about a new project we are working on at present which we know our members are going to really appreciate…
Tees Valley Combined Authority, our Event Partner is fully supportive of the conference and expo and you will hear both them and North East Combined Authority speak on the day as net zero and energy transition is a priority for both local growth plans.
Finally, if you do want to find out what’s happening in the energy industry landscape in North East England, then this is a must attend event!
Interested in attending the Net Zero Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition? Click here for more information and to book your ticket.
