Calls for major reform of offshore wind industry to protect coast and countryside

A major reform of offshore energy legislation has been backed by Norfolk and Suffolk MPs. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2006)

Campaigners have long proposed an integrated approach to offshore energy, averting the need for new connections to be created onshore for each wind farm.

In Norfolk, two vast cable trenches – each 60km long – are planned to facilitate three wind farms.

Happisburgh residents at the beach where trenches for cables are set to be dug. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

One trench would be dug from Weybourne in the north to Swardeston, south of Norwich, for the Hornsea 3 wind farm, built by Danish energy company Orsted.

Two others wind farms, Vanguard and Boreas, would be built by Swedish firm, Vattenfall, and have a trench stretching from Happisburgh to Necton.

The Great Norfolk Carve Up front page in the Eastern Daily Press last December which looked at the huge impact of the wind farm cable corridors on Norfolk. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

But a report published in September found the integrated method would save consumers £6bn and halve the amount of digging required across coastal communities.

National Grid ESO said changes would come too late for the aforementioned wind farms, with some of the necessary technology yet to be developed.

Five Norfolk and Suffolk MPs including George Freeman have backed calls to reform offshore energy projects. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant 2018)

But now five Norfolk and Suffolk MPs have joined forces to back the report’s findings, citing the “detriment” to East Anglian coastline and countryside.

Thérèse Coffey, (Suffolk Coastal), George Freeman (Mid Norfolk), Jerome Mayhew (Broadland), Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) and James Cartlidge (South Suffolk) issued a joint response to National Grid ESO’s consultation, arguing new rules must urgently be introduced.

Five Norfolk and Suffolk MPs including James Cartlidge have backed calls to reform offshore energy projects. Picture: Archant (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mr Freeman said: “The old approach of each wind farm installing massive cabling and a Wembley-sized converter station for each farm would ruin our precious Norfolk and Suffolk coastal landscapes.

“We need legislation now to provide a proper system for proper connection.”

Five Norfolk and Suffolk MPs including Jerome Mayhew have backed calls to reform offshore energy projects. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Danielle Booden)

Mr Cartlidge added that East Anglia’s role in driving forward renewable energy must be re-examined, while Mr Mayhew argued that proposed alternatives should be applied to ongoing offshore schemes.

“The sooner the rules change, the better,” added Mr Mayhew. “It is not just future projects that can be improved; this new approach should be applied to as many existing wind farm projects as possible.”

Last month, the High Court granted permission for a judicial review of the consent for the Vanguard wind farm.

The challenge is being brought by Salle resident, Ray Pearce, on the grounds of “severe damage to the environment”.