suffolk 'energy connection pathfinder' urgently needed

BEIS MINISTER MUST ACT TO SAVE SUFFOLK COAST & AONB FROM UNNECESSARY ENERGY DAMAGE

27th September 2021 

SUFFOLK ACTION GROUPs – GOVERNMENT MINISTER MUST ‘GET A GRIP’ ON DAMAGING ENERGY PROPOSALS 

SASES & our fellow campaigners at SEAS are urging Kwasi Kwarteng Secretary of State at BEIS to request that Ofgem sit down with energy companies to find a solution to damaging uncoordinated energy proposals and grid connections. In east Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal communities are seeing the consequences of poor energy management and planning, both in terms of the actions of network operator National Grid and of individual energy companies seeking to develop and connect new projects.

The launch of NGV (National Grid Ventures) Nautilus interconnector project consultations brings the prospect of further damaging energy development to east Suffolk. SASES & SEAS believe it is essential for Ofgem to draw up a Pathfinder Project now! 

Comment from SASES:

“…National Grid Ventures in their Nautilus consultation information are seeking a grid connection via a connection point at Friston. This connection has not yet been given consent and doesn’t even exist. BEIS and the government need to get a grip on the situation here in Suffolk and indeed around the UK. Much of the energy produced by these energy projects is to supply large urban towns/cities, e.g London and the south east. Energy connection points need to be secured closer to these areas. We cannot accept numerous cables landing along a fragile heritage coast, with miles of cables trenched across our AONB to grid connections built in the Suffolk countryside.

Now is the time to strive for better integrated solutions, this is already happening in other North Sea countries like Denmark, Netherlands & Germany ,why are we seeing this shambolic mess in coastal locations around the UK? 

How is it that our European neighbours are already investing in better, far less damaging solutions?”

Image credit: John Fielding via Flikr – Scottish Power EA1 wind farm cables landing zone at Bawdsey in Suffolk. The Suffolk coast could see multiple projects all looking to land similar cables along the coast from Aldeburgh to Thorpeness all the way north to Minsmere. How is this acceptable in an AONB?