Friday, November 22, 2024

Fears over Ed Miliband’s plan for massive wind farm expansion

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Labour MPs fear Ed Miliband is “out of control” as he prepares to fast track planning permission for a wave of new wind farms and solar power stations so construction can begin within months.

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has commissioned a study to identify parts of the country “that offer opportunities for rapid infrastructure development”.

But Labour MPs say Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s personal loyalty to Mr Miliband has blinded him to the political dangers posed by the plan.

One said: “Miliband helped Starmer become a Labour candidate back when Ed was leader. Keir has never forgotten.”

An initial study commissioned by Mr Miliband found the UK must double the amount of electricity generated by onshore windfarms by 2030 to achieve net zero targets, while the amount produced by solar energy must be tripled.

Scotland and Wales have been identified as prime locations for new windfarms, while solar power stations are due to be built in the south west.

Huge new battery facilities will also be required to store power, so it can be used when weather conditions do not allow electricity to be generated.

The plans also include 1,000km of new cables to carry electricity, including overhead wires with pylons, partly to connect new offshore windfarms off the coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk and the north of England.

It will require “an investment programme averaging £40billion or more annually” according to the National Energy System Operator, a Government-owned body tasked by Mr Miliband with overseeing the shift to “green” energy. The aim is to encourage private sector investment rather than relying on taxpayer funding.

The body said construction of some “key projects” must begin within six months, but warned it currently takes more than two years to gain approval for energy infrastructure.

It urged the Government to “reform planning and consenting processes and improve community engagement”.

The report said: “To have a good chance of being built in time, the next six to 24 months are critical for projects to clear planning and move into construction. Expediting the planning process, while maintaining community consent, will be vital to delivering on the clean power mission.” Mr Miliband has welcomed the study as “conclusive proof that the government’s clean energy superpower mission is the right choice for the country”.

However, the plans were condemned by Conservative peer Craig Mackinlay, who said: “The thought of blighting the nation with wind farms and hundreds of miles of new pylons while local people have no say is hardly democratic, fair or respectful of people’s property rights.”

Lord Mackinlay said the UK could reduce carbon emissions by shifting to nuclear-generated energy. “Relying on 16th century windmills and Chinese produced solar panels doesn’t sound like energy security or low cost provision.”

According to NESO, producing more “clean” power in the UK will make the nation less reliant on foreign imports, reduce the impact on household bills of increases in the global price of gas and ensure the UK has electricity to meet growing demand caused partly by the increased use of electric vehicles.

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