Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has thrown his weight behind the development of new onshore wind and renewables in a bid to reduce energy bills.
In a meeting with RenewableUK chief executive and deputy chief executive Dan McGrail and Melanie Onn, the leaders agreed on the urgent need for reforming the planning system in England to enable onshore wind farms to go ahead, alongside wider measures to boost renewables and cut bills.
The association disclosed that due to the current planning system in place in England, there is a de facto ban on new onshore wind. As a result, there has been a 95% drop in the amount of onshore wind capacity being built in the region.
Starmer previously reiterated his stance on the development of renewables in the UK with the Labour Party having unveiled plans to turn the UK into a “clean energy superpower by 2030” in September.
Under these plans, Starmer explained his ambition to increase the generation capacity of technologies such as offshore wind and solar. In doing so, Labour claimed this could save UK households a total of £93 billion over the rest of the decade. On average, this is the equivalent of saving £475 for each household every year.
“The solution to the energy crisis is clear – we need to go all out for cheap, clean, homegrown power as fast as we can. From green hydrogen to offshore wind, gigafactories to new nuclear and tidal power, Labour will help these new industries to thrive. And we will reverse this Government’s policies that are blocking the growth of onshore wind and solar, which are vital sources of cheap power for billpayers,” said Starmer.
“Here in Lincolnshire, I’ve met some of the people who are making the energy transition a reality and investing in the technologies and the jobs of the future. Labour’s world-leading commitment for Britain to reach 100% clean power by 2030 will deliver lower bills, greater security, good jobs and a stronger economy for entire country.”
RenewableUK revealed in September via its Onshore Wind EnergyPulse report that the UK’s overall pipeline of onshore wind projects had increased by over 4GW in the last twelve months.
According to the report, the UK pipeline for onshore wind projects has increased from 33GW in October 2021 to 37GW today. This is an increase of 4GW showcasing the rise in popularity for renewable energy generation.
RenewableUK also published earlier this year a manifesto for a fully decarbonised electricity system by 2035, setting out key measures such as market and regulatory reforms needed to cut emissions.
The report urged the government to act in order to accelerate the pace and scale of decarbonisation dramatically, to reduce the UK’s exposure to the volatile international gas market by expanding domestic renewable generation and rapidly develop a green hydrogen industry.
“It’s great to be able to show Sir Keir at first-hand what the UK’s new green economy looks like in action. We’re increasing the UK’s energy security, cutting bills and leading the world with innovative technologies like floating wind and green hydrogen,” said McGrail.
“We can also unlock the benefits of onshore wind in England by reforming the planning system so that this technology is treated like any other. We need a level playing field so that each project is considered on its own merits in areas where it has local community support.
“Labour’s commitment to ensuring these reforms go ahead is a key step forward – and it’s in line with widespread public support that exists for accelerating the roll-out of renewables.”
This widespread public support for renewables had been highlighted via data collected by Survation in September. According to the firm, 77% of people in the UK that believe the government should use new wind and solar farms to reduce electricity bills. A further 76% of people also are in support of building renewable energy projects in their local area.
More pressing for the government is that 84% of those who backed the Tories at the last election now urge the government to use new wind and solar farms to cut electricity bills. 81% of 2019 Tory voters also support a renewable energy project being developed in their local area.
