Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, is preparing to rewrite Britain’s planning rules to pave the way for a massive expansion of wind and solar power, effectively reducing local forces preventing or changing green energy projects.
Under the proposed changes, wind turbines and solar farms of a certain scale would be classified as “infrastructure projects of national importance,” giving them the same priority as airports and major power stations.
As part of Labour’s 2030 Clean Energy Action Plan, any wind farm exceeding 100MW of capacity – the equivalent of about 15 to 20 turbines – would fall within national jurisdiction. The shift would give unelected planning inspectors, rather than communities and local councils, the final say on whether projects go ahead. Solar projects that meet these criteria will also follow the same rules, potentially ending the era of local-level control over large renewable energy schemes.
The government expects the reforms will unlock around £40bn of private sector investment every year until 2030, as Britain aims to decarbonise its electricity grid and reduce reliance on imported gas. However, the announcement, published on Friday, made no reference to Miliband’s pre-election pledge to cut household bills by £300 a year, focusing instead on long-term cost stabilization and financial stability. Energy security.
Through rapid approvals, Labor hopes to double onshore wind capacity from 15 gigawatts to nearly 30 gigawatts by 2030, which could mean up to 3,000 new turbines, including taller models up to 800 feet tall. Solar capacity is also set to more than triple, from 15 gigawatts to about 50 gigawatts, potentially covering about 500 square miles of farmland with panels.
Miliband said reforms were essential if the UK was to achieve fully carbon-neutral energy by 2030, saying: “A new era of clean electricity offers a positive vision for Britain’s future, with energy security, lower bills in the long term and good jobs.”
Critics warn that the move deprives communities of their right to object, and they are likely to object more forcefully if the government goes ahead with measures to limit legal challenges. The plan hints at reducing the “cherry bites” of Supreme Court reviews, limiting the number of times a project can be challenged once it’s approved.
Regional green energy targets are also expected, requiring each region to host a specified amount of wind and solar farms. Such plans are already causing local discontent: in Cornwall, farmers recently protested against a massive solar project, and opposition may intensify as these rules come into force.
Renewable energy developers, largely responsible for meeting the clean energy deadline, will invest billions to realize these ambitions. Although some savings may be possible in the long run, a significant portion of the initial cost may ultimately be recouped through customers’ energy bills.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, accused Miliband of reneging on his promise to cut consumer bills by £300, and warned that rushing towards the 2030 deadline could see prices rise further. “We need cheap, reliable energy, and he must put living standards first,” she said.
The announcement comes as recent calm and cloudy weather – described as “dunkelflaute” – has forced the UK grid to rely heavily on gas, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring reliability amid the rapid proliferation of renewables.
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