Five MPs from across Norfolk and Suffolk are calling for a major reform of the offshore wind connection system. On Wednesday, the Rt Hon. Therese Coffey MP, George Freeman MP, Jerome Mayhew MP, Duncan Baker MP and James Cartlidge MP, issued a joint response to the National Grid ESO consultation on Offshore Coordination.
- Their response called for an integrated wind farm connection system at sea with reduced onshore infrastructure.
- The MPs highlighted that the current system, if left unchecked, would cause detriment to the East Anglian coastline and countryside.
- Their response states that a coordinated response would save £6bn for consumers, halve the amount of associated infrastructure and enable the sector to grow more sustainably without “being bogged down in perpetual planning controversies”.
- In order to achieve this integrated approach the MPs have called for fundamental reform of the way offshore wind is regulated, removing conflicts of interest inherent to the current set up.
- Above all, the MPs are pressing for legislation at the earliest opportunity to bring about this regulatory change, so that coordinated offshore wind can be delivered in practice, and as soon as possible.
As we aim for every household to be powered by clean, green wind power by 2030, it is only right to now fix the damaging and piecemeal transmission connection method, with cutting edge technological innovation, a new regulatory framework and revamped legislative processes.
- Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk
Further information and the consultation documents can be found here: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/future-energy/projects/offshore-coordination-project.
