A legal challenge by environmental campaigners could block dozens of sites off the Norfolk coast from being explored for potential gas and oil drilling.
The sites, off the county's shores, were among 898 'blocks' of the UK's seabed which the offshore industry regulator the North Sea Transition Authority has offered licences for.
But environmental campaigners Greenpeace and Uplift are bringing a High Court challenge over the government’s decision to open a new round of North Sea oil and gas licensing.
Greenpeace and Uplift will contest the decision that a new round of offshore fossil fuel licensing is compatible with the UK’s climate goals in court over the next two days (Tuesday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26).
The government has received more than 100 bids for exploration and development, including for the 'priority cluster area' in Norfolk.
Greenpeace and Uplift are expected to argue ministers failed to assess properly the impact of the new licensing round, or to consider reasonable alternatives.
The government will oppose their arguments.
When the opening of the licensing round was announced, it was hailed by supporters as an opportunity for Norfolk to have a major role as an energy powerhouse for the country.
Business leaders said it could bring an economic boost for county industries in the energy sector, such as companies in Great Yarmouth.
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But Philip Evans, Greenpeace UK’s climate campaigner, said: "We’re in the High Court to hold the government to account on their reckless decision to approve new oil and gas without properly checking the damage it will do to the climate."
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The government previously said the cluster around Norfolk, close to existing infrastructure, could be fast-tracked, so gas is brought ashore within five years.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has previously backed new oil and gas exploration, claiming new homegrown fossil fuels are necessary for the UK’s transition towards net zero.
Last week saw a blow for Norfolk's offshore industry, with Swedish company Vattenfall halting work on the Norfolk Boreas wind farm.
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