Nationally Significant Infrastructure
We recognise the climate change emergency and urgent need for renewable energy generation. We support the government’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and recognise that Suffolk has a major strategic role to play in the delivery of this target. The rapidly developing offshore wind industry and a new generation of nuclear power at Sizewell, as well as being a desired location for solar as one of the UK’s sunniest areas, raises major challenges for Suffolk’s landscapes and communities.
We believe that, if Suffolk is to host these significant projects, sensitive siting and successful mitigation of their impacts, together with offset environmental enhancements, are absolutely key.
Community energy projects
A pro-active approach is needed to help rural communities move towards using more renewable energy like solar and wind.
But we believe that renewable energy projects should be developed BY communities rather than being something that is done TO communities.
That is why we are supporting communities on their journey to both generating green sustainable energy and to reduce their energy needs.
The multiple energy projects proposed over the next decade in Suffolk have the potential to have major impacts on both our communities and swathes of countryside across the county.
In the Eastern region wind energy is predicted to increase from 4.4GW in 2020 to 27.5GW by 2050.
What the Suffolk Preservation Society can do:
SPS uses its resources to support all the major groups campaigning for the best outcomes for the communities affected by major energy proposals.
Clearly however our resources are limited and the number of threats is unprecedented.
We are always happy to talk to and work with community groups. We can provide advice on the NSIP process and signposting to consultants to help with the preparation of specialist evidence. SPS has a high level of experience of the DCO process and will provide support and advice to communities as far as our resources allow.
We are working closely with our sister charity CPRE and together have campaigned for a co-ordinated approach to deliver forthcoming energy projects. We have strongly argued that an offshore ring main is required to transmit energy generated off shore.
Where onshore upgrades of the network are required with new pylon lines, we work hard to make the case for rigorous assessment of impacts and appropriate mitigation.