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Professionals offer their opinions following Ed Miliband's decision to lift the restriction on onshore wind energy projects

Britain's recently appointed Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, has repealed the prohibition on offshore wind farms with aspirations to transform the nation into a leading force in clean energy.

Wind energy advocates weigh in on Ed Miliband's decision to repeal the prohibition on coastal wind...
Wind energy advocates weigh in on Ed Miliband's decision to repeal the prohibition on coastal wind power plants

Professionals offer their opinions following Ed Miliband's decision to lift the restriction on onshore wind energy projects

The UK government has announced a significant shift in energy policy, ending the ban on new onshore wind farms in England. The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, made the announcement, which is expected to boost renewable energy production and support the country's transition towards cleaner energy sources.

The revised policy, effective from 8 July, will be confirmed to Parliament on 18 July following the State Opening. The decision follows the announcement by Ed Miliband, the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who highlighted the importance of this move in helping generate more renewable energy in the UK.

Industry reaction to the removal of the ban has been widely positive. James Robottom, Renewable UK's Head of Policy, welcomed the decision, stating that it is a crucial step towards delivering on climate goals and lowering energy bills. Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy, also expressed her support, calling for zonal pricing for energy to slash bills and unlock investment in new renewables.

Zoisa North-Bond, who leads the team at Octopus Energy Generation and manages Octopus Energy for Business, providing green energy to over 70,000 business customers, looked forward to the potential benefits of the policy change. Vattenfall's Head of UK Onshore Development, Frank Elsworth, also welcomed the removal of the de facto ban and expressed anticipation for seeing the wider proposals in the National Planning Policy Framework.

However, not everyone is in agreement. Lincolnshire County Councillor Colin Davie criticised the policy, labelling it an attack on the countryside, and expressed concern about its potential impact on farmland and food security.

The UK Government's decision to lift the ban on onshore wind parks is likely to result in increased wind power production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a shift towards cleaner energy sources. This change addresses previous declines in wind power and the associated rise in fossil-based electricity generation.

The Climate Change Committee has recommended that the UK needs to increase its existing 15GW supply of onshore wind capacity to 35GW by 2035. With the ban lifted, it is hoped that this ambitious target can be met, furthering the UK's commitment to tackling climate change and securing a sustainable energy future.

Former Conservative MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay, expressed reservations about the policy, stating that expanding wind farms would increase intermittency of power and not be a solution for the long-term. Despite this, the government's decision to revise its planning policy for onshore wind farms has been widely welcomed by industry experts.

Onshore wind farms will now be processed in the same way as other renewable energy projects under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This marks a new era for renewable energy in the UK, with onshore wind farms set to play a crucial role in the country's energy transition efforts.

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