Norfolk environmentalist says cabling for new wind-farms must go underground
It's been welcomed as a "real boost" for clean energy by climate campaigners and those in the industry
An environmentalist in Norfolk says in order to cause least disruption to nature cabling from new wind-farm's must go under-ground.
It follows this year's budget for renewable energy schemes rising to a record £1.5 billion, after the Government announced more money for off-shore wind turbines.
"Need to ensure that value for money is achieved"
Professor Dave Evans is from Norwich Friends of the Earth:
"If all goes to plan, this will enable electricity from these sources to power five million homes. Research from Friends of the Earth shows that 85% of people in Norwich support renewable energy projects in their area, so this should be good news for them.
"Moving forwards, the Government need to ensure that contracts are offered competitively, in a fair and open way. Beyond that, they need to ensure that value for money is achieved and that this is all delivered in a timely fashion.
After that, the next step is getting the energy to where it's required. An off-shore integrated grid would be a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option, than over-head Pylons".
"We are backing industry to build in Britain"
Rishi Sunak's government had already been forced to boost the pot to a record-breaking £1 billion for green power, to attract investment amid rising costs and international competition.
Now Labour has increased it by £500 million- with the new Government saying it's heavily focused on making Britain a "clean energy superpower" with a target to achieve clean power by 2030 to shore up energy security and cut bills while tackling climate change.
Mr Miliband said: "Last year's auction round was a catastrophe, with zero offshore wind secured, and delaying our move away from expensive fossil fuels to energy independence.
"Instead, we are backing industry to build in Britain, with this year's auction getting its biggest budget yet.
"This will restore the UK as a global leader for green technologies and deliver the infrastructure we need to boost our energy independence, protect billpayers, and become a clean energy superpower."
"Certainly a big step in the right direction"
Industry body Energy UK's chief executive, Emma Pinchbeck described the latest announcement as a "real boost for our clean energy ambitions".
"The sooner we can get new wind and solar projects up and running, the sooner we can boost our energy independence with clean homegrown power that reduces our reliance on expensive foreign gas and helps protect us from a repeat of the price shocks that have hit customers hard in recent years.
"Offshore wind is critical to hitting the Government's 2030 target and we know that the vast majority of this capacity must be delivered through this auction round and next year's.
"That remains a huge challenge but this is certainly a big step in the right direction and another welcome demonstration of the Government's ambitions," she said.
"Need to ensure that the next auction rounds focus on project delivery"
RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail said it was "great" to see the Government unlocking more investment in renewable energy projects by increasing the budget for the next auction.
He said it built on a series of positive announcements that were increasing investor confidence in the UK.
But he warned: "This auction will not unlock investment in all shovel-ready projects, so the Government will need to ensure that the next auction rounds focus on project delivery to ensure we achieve the Prime Minister's clean power mission and increase the confidence of investors in the UK's supply chain."