Andy Burnham has welcomed a record investment in offshore wind energy, as the British government seeks to improve its environmental credentials following the approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, a decision that has sparked controversy. On Wednesday, the government announced a £12 billion investment from German energy company RWE and US private equity firm KKR. The announcement comes as the prime minister prepares to travel to the Cop31 climate crisis summit in Turkey.
The investment package, which will go towards building the Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms off the coast of Norfolk, is a “vote of confidence in building in Britain”, Burnham said. He stressed that this is excellent news for bill payers, as every turbine installed provides energy under British control, without being at the mercy of events on the other side of the world. Burnham added that coastal communities, from Scotland to East Anglia, will strengthen Britain’s future by benefiting from the jobs and opportunities this investment brings.
In addition to the private investment, the offshore wind projects will also receive £1 billion in financing from the state-owned National Wealth Fund. The wind farms are expected to start producing energy by 2030, with construction beginning early next year. The British government described the investment as “the largest of its kind in the history of the United Kingdom”.
RWE stated that the Vanguard project represents one of the largest offshore wind developments in the United Kingdom, generating around 2.8 gigawatts, enough to supply 3 million homes. The company estimated that the construction of the wind farms will create and support 2,300 jobs each year through its supply chain. In addition, 100 long-term permanent jobs are expected to be created once the wind farms are operational.
Another positive development in the renewable energy sector came on Wednesday, when energy company SSE announced that the final phase of its large offshore wind park, Berwick Bank B, off the east coast of Scotland, will “support” 2,600 existing jobs. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that investment in offshore wind and clean energy is “creating quality jobs and rebuilding industry, while delivering the clean energy we need to lower bills and reach net zero emissions”. She added that Britain is “leading the way as a renewable energy superpower”.
These developments come as Burnham seeks to strengthen the green credentials of his government, which have come under criticism, at the Cop31 summit, where he is expected to deliver a speech on Thursday. The prime minister has faced sharp reactions from Labour MPs and environmental activists over his government’s decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, ministers rejected plans to build what would have been Britain’s largest solar farm, near the Blenheim Palace estate. Fahnbulleh rejected the £800 million Botley West project, which would have covered nearly 3,500 hectares of land. Developers said it would have provided enough electricity to supply 330,000 homes. Margaret Curran, in a letter on behalf of the energy secretary, wrote that the project would cause “considerable harm” to the green belt and the Blenheim estate – the home of Blenheim Palace, which is a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Taken from The Guardian UK