A number of Norfolk MPs have recently been actively pressing Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister of State – Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for an ‘Off Shore Ring Main’ (ORM) to connect North Sea Wind Farms.

These Norfolk MPs have been representing the great concern amongst their constituents at the growing number of existing and new individual major offshore wind farm projects whose industrial installations and criss-crossing cable corridors are set to ruin large tracts of land and communities across their County.

Arguing that the present Government objective to increase the power generated by offshore wind from 9 GW to 40 GW by 2030 is unachievable through its present uncoordinated technical approach, they are asking BEIS to commission a feasibility study for an offshore ring main (ORM) to provide a single offshore connection point for wind farms – instead of each project having to make its own route onshore to the National Grid via separate point-to-point high voltage cabling.  Meanwhile, they want the government to put a hold on further planning applications for wind farms until such a study has established a way ahead for a UK ORM. Although Ofgem previously investigated the feasibility of an ORM in 2015 and decided at that time not to go ahead, apparently it is now looking again at that decision.

We understand the Minister now accepts the need to look for a better way for wind farms to connect to the National Grid and that he feels the competitive and legislative framework under which Ofgem (the Industry Regulator) has been supervising and constraining this sector of the renewable energy market could be amended if necessary.    The Norfolk MPs have been encouraged to pursue the matter with Ofgem themselves.
All this is encouraging, but we must remain cautious when hearing positive noises from Ministers until we see a formal Government announcement that it is prepared to initiate a full review and implement the necessary changes.