As a long-time advocate of the move towards renewable energy, I am a major supporter of Offshore Wind Energy – and have previously worked with local communities to ensure that the associated onshore infrastructure is located in the right place.
As the Southern North Sea becomes the world’s largest centre for offshore wind infrastructure however, East Anglia is in danger of being ruined by the dozens of Wembley-sized substations and thousands of miles of underground cabling required to connect these new wind farms to our National Grid.
That’s why I have been leading the charge in Norfolk and in Westminster – calling for a proper strategic Plan to deliver this vital infrastructure. I (along with my parliamentary colleagues here in the East) want to see these new wind farms delivered in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily damage our rural and coastal landscapes, as well as negatively impact on local tourism, business and residents.
As part of my ongoing campaign, myself, Duncan Baker and Jerome Mayhew participated in a Zoom Call with the Energy Minister, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, to make the case for a full Review of the options to deliver this key infrastructure – reiterating our belief that an Offshore Ring Main is the best one.
I am delighted to report that Kwasi Kwarteng sympathised enormously with us and has agreed to get OFGEM to carry out a feasibility study to look at the ORM option. This is hugely positive news – and a great step forward.
It comes on the same day that the Secretary of State at BEIS, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, agreed to postpone his decision on the Norfolk Vanguard and Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm applications for another month – responding to calls from MPs like myself and countless others across the East. (And follows his decision to postpone a decision on the Norfolk Boreas application until October).
Rest assured, I will continue to follow this matter closely. Next stop – OFGEM. Duncan, Jerome and I will take our campaign to them and ensure the feasibility is carried out as swiftly and thoroughly as possible.
To learn more about this campaign, please click here.
To read the EDP article, please click here.
