Energy Petition for Review of Onshore Connections

Tackling climate change is one of the top priorities for the Government. The UK was the first G7 country to legislate for net-zero by 2050 and the Energy White Paper establishes a permanent shift away from our dependence on fossil fuels, underlining the government’s commitment to providing 40GW of offshore wind electricity by 2030. The same White Paper and the subsequent review of the National Policy Statements for Energy set out that a more coordinated approach to the delivery of onshore electricity transmission infrastructure is required recognising cumulative impact. However, whilst integrating multiple projects is undoubtedly the right thing to do, rather than having separate connections, it’s essential our precious landscapes and communities are protected by placing the infrastructure in the appropriate location.

That’s why I consistently opposed the Friston sub-station, the Nautilus proposals and why I’m planning to oppose the options set out in the Eurolink and Sealink consultations. I have been clear and continue to press the case that onshore connections should be placed on brownfield land. We have had some success on that recently, as National Grid is now investigating the Isle of Grain in Kent as a possible connection for the Nautilus project instead of here on the Suffolk coast. However, the latest consultations propose landfall sites, associated cable corridors and converter stations here in east Suffolk.

I, therefore, want BEIS and National Grid ESO to review all onshore energy connections along the Suffolk coast and instead commit to carrying out a comparative study, including already suggested brownfield sites, like Bradwell in Essex. Properly assessing the environmental impact of these connections before proceeding any further.

But I need YOUR help.

Please sign the petition. Importantly, encourage your friends and family to do likewise. I will then place it into the petitions bag behind the Speaker's Chair.

I hope that with sufficient public support we can get a commitment from Government and National Grid to carry out such a review.

Onshore Energy Connections along the Suffolk Coast

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"To the House of Commons.

The petition of the people of Suffolk Coastal and the wider Suffolk area,

Declares that the UK was the first G7 country to legislate for net-zero by 2050, which coupled with an even stronger need for energy independence means a government commitment to provide 40GW of offshore wind electricity by 2030; further declares that emerging government policy including the subsequent review of the National Policy Statements for Energy sets out that a more coordinated approach to the delivery of onshore electricity transmission infrastructure is required recognising cumulative impact; further declares the concerns of the petitioners, that through a mixture of already granted planning consents, proposed landfall sites, cable corridors & convertor stations the huge impact these connections would have on the communities and precious landscape of the Suffolk coast, much of which is in the AONB.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to review all onshore energy connections along the Suffolk Coast and carry out a comparative study, including already suggested brownfield sites, properly assessing the environmental impact of these connections before proceeding any further.

And the petitioners remain etc.”

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