Therese met the Minister of State for Energy & Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng, this month to press him on the cumulative impact onshore infrastructure for offshore wind is having on Suffolk Coastal communities. She was joined at the meeting by Cabinet Member for the Environment at Suffolk County Councillor, Richard Rout and the Deputy Leader of East Suffolk Council, Cllr Craig Rivett.
Therese said: “It was a very useful meeting and I thank Kwasi for his time and understanding. The large number of people that attended my public meeting on the Scottish Power Renewables proposal for a substation at Friston to service new offshore wind farms, just goes to show the local strength of feeling. With further big energy projects like Sizewell C and the Galloper and Gabbard extensions on the horizon it is really important the Minister recognises the cumulative impact these will have on communities here in Suffolk.”
Therese added: “The Energy Minister has promised to take up this issue with National Grid regarding our concerns, which I hope will give greater strength to our elbow in the coming negotiations about onshore sites. I previously suggested that National Grid look for an alternative location, such as the proposed nuclear site at Bradwell but I’ve recently become aware that National Grid has offered a further connection at Sizewell for the Galloper windfarm. This is not acceptable and I thank the Minister for helping our campaign.”
