A number of my constituents have contacted me regarding the use of wind energy.
Protecting the environment is something that is incredibly important to me. With 85% of our constituency being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), I believe passionately in ensuring we can preserve our environment. Therefore, balancing this with the potential that renewable onshore wind has for our communities must be respected.
Onshore Wind
Onshore wind is a key part of the Government’s strategy for Net Zero and the future of renewable energy. In order to achieve Net Zero by 2050, the Government will have to transform our energy industries and adapt to a range of new technologies, including onshore wind. This is a key priority of the Government, in fact, the United Kingdom became the first major economy to legislate for net zero carbon emissions and since 2000 and the UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 country.
I appreciate that there are a range of views on onshore wind. I firmly believe that local authorities, who know their areas best, are best placed to make decisions on onshore wind sites. The Government has been clear that strong environmental protections will remain in place, with valued landscapes such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Green Belt protected. Fortunately, the government has made clear its commitment to maintaining strong environmental protections while promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources like onshore wind.
The Prime Minister signalled the end of the moratorium against onshore wind projects, as we understand that the use of sustainable energy sources must be rapidly increased in order to achieve our Net Zero emissions target by 2050.
Another key advantage of onshore wind energy is its cost-effectiveness compared to other electricity generating technologies. It currently accounts for approximately a quarter of installed renewable capacity in the UK and has the potential to provide a significant proportion of the country's energy needs.
Offshore Wind
Offshore wind energy is equally promising and forms a vital part of our green energy future. The UK's £160 million investment in offshore wind solidifies our position as a global leader in wind energy, creating 90,000 new jobs, boosting exports, and significantly reducing our carbon emissions on the path to net zero.
In addition, the Government announced a boost to the UK's previous target to deliver up to 40GW of offshore wind, to delivering 50GW by 2030. This ambition, set forth in the new Energy Security Strategy, will provide more than enough energy to power every home in the UK, of which up to 5GW is anticipated to come from floating offshore wind in deeper seas. This brand-new technology allows wind farms to be built further out to sea in deeper waters, boosting capacity even further. This will provide massive opportunities for Scotland, the Celtic and Irish seas, and is backed by £160 million in ports and supply chains.
In line with this, I am delighted to share that our Prime Minister has reinforced his commitment to offshore wind by enhancing the next auction rounds, providing industry players with the confidence they need to invest in our country. This commitment is further evident in the ongoing work to establish two new offshore wind ports in the Humber region and Teesside, a venture that will generate 6,000 new jobs and have the capacity to support the development of up to 9GW of energy offshore wind projects annually, supported by a £95 million investment. This equates to powering approximately 8 million homes—a monumental leap forward in our journey toward sustainability.
Combined with planned stringent requirements on supporting UK manufacturers in Government-backed renewables projects, I am pleased that these measures will help the industry to reach its target of 60% of offshore wind farm content coming from the UK.
The UK needs a diverse energy mix as we transition to cleaner energy sources which will enable us to build back greener. However, we need to ensure the UK’s energy mix is sustainable and reliable, and this means that wind and solar need to be complemented by technologies which provide power when the wind is not blowing, or the sun does not shine. This includes nuclear and gas with carbon capture and storage and the Government's commitment to invest in these areas as detailed in the Ten Point Plan, the Net Zero Strategy and the Energy Security Strategy is welcome.
The use of wind energy is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of both its potential benefits and challenges. I believe that it is important to continue exploring the possibilities of this technology while also ensuring that it is developed in a responsible and sustainable manner, taking into account the needs and concerns of local communities and protecting our precious natural landscapes.