Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer used a visit to Grimsby to meet with senior clean energy industry figures, with an urgent need for a return for onshore wind and further offshore strategy agreed upon.
Steps that could help cut bills as quick as possible were under the microscope as he made a rapid return to the town - the very eastern edge of the northern ‘red wall’ shattered in 2019.
He joined ousted Labour MP Melanie Onn - now deputy chief executive of Renewable UK - and CEO Dan McGrail, taking in both Bishopthorpe onshore wind farm at Tetney, a parish just outside the town, and Orsted’s world-leading offshore hub on the docks. It was the take-up of an invite extended over from his previous visit, curtailed by the Sue Gray report publication and the controversy at the end of Boris Johnson's time in the job he's keen to take on.
Read more: UK's admission to Global Offshore Wind Alliance 'a vote of confidence' in world-leading industry
At the £14 million Royal Dock base, he met apprentices and took in a private round table meeting involving onshore specialist BayWa RE and Orsted's quayside neighbours Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and RWE.
They secured the backing of Sir Keir for a reform of the planning system in England to enable onshore wind farms to go ahead, alongside wider measures to boost renewables and cut bills. He heard how under the current system there is a “de facto ban” on new onshore wind, where planning rules have led to a 95 per cent drop in the amount of onshore wind capacity being built. It is one of the cheapest forms of new power and one of the quickest to build.
A desire for a new industrial strategy to enable the sector to scale up more rapidly was also expressed, with Sir Keir hearing how there is an urgent need to build new infrastructure at ports around the UK, upgrade the electricity grid faster and reform the Contracts for Difference support scheme to maximise the amount of new capacity that can be secured annually to help build up the UK’s supply chain.
Sir Keir said: “The solution to the energy crisis is clear – we need to go all out for cheap, clean, home-grown 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 bill payers.
“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 per cent clean power by 2030 will deliver lower bills, greater security, good jobs and a stronger economy for the entire country”.
The CfD auction has already been made an annual fixture by the government, with significant funding for ports announced, including Able Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme.
Mr McGrail said: “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.
“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”.
Ms Onn, who served Grimsby as Austin Mitchell’s successor from 2015 and hasn't ruled out fighting Lia Nici for the seat at the next election, sported a vivid red blazer and posed for pictures with her former colleague. She said: “I’ve seen right here in my home town of Grimsby how renewables are creating new opportunities and quality jobs. More than 30,000 people already work in our world-class offshore wind industry and young people across the country are choosing to enter the sector because they’re passionate about taking practical action against climate change. As the sector grows, we’ll need even more young people to deliver our net zero ambitions, and our apprentices, like those we met today, are great examples of how it’s possible to start a new career in an industry which is really making a difference”.
Read next:
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Project completions delight in stellar year for Humber offshore wind cluster as pipeline grows
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