SEAS passionately supports increasing offshore wind energy to help us get to Net Zero. We are championing innovate but practical, integrated solutions for transmission network design, that are cheaper for all of Britain's consumers, faster to deliver and better in terms of environmental and community impact.

We propose pooling wind power offshore and transporting it closer to where it is needed (London/South East) using subsea cables, coming onshore at brownfield sites. Our modular offshore grid plans are in line with the leading European wind power design strategies (e.g. Elia in Belgium). The cost benefits of our designs are supported by figures from National Grid ESO's own research about the overall system benefits of offshore integration.

We reject current outdated plans to bring multiple wind projects onshore on the Suffolk Coast, effectively industrialising protected areas of countryside with unnecessary onshore infrastructure, an unacceptable cumulative economic, social and environmental impact, when better solutions are available.

YES to Offshore Wind, NO to Onshore Plans

Offshore Grid is Best

Better, Cheaper, Faster

29 Nov: ESNZ Commons Committee - 'A flexible grid for the future' with Fiona Gilmore

Examining how to reform the planning system to support the delivery of renewable energy generation, and what needs to be done to ensure the UK has the infrastructure it needs to deliver grid capacity for the future.

26 November: UK’s bid for net zero in the balance due to grid ‘blind spot'

“....why ride roughshod over all the environmental protections in place for this area when there are alternative routes?” David Riches, WALL

21 November: EADT Therese Coffey at SEAS meeting, 'unleashed' by resignation

Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey told a SEAS campaigners' meeting she has been 'unleashed' to help community groups fighting plans to route electricity cables through the Suffolk countryside.

URGENT PUBLIC MEETING 17 NOV 7pm - Saxmundham’s Energy Projects

National Grid's plans to site 3 Converter Stations on the East side of Sax. SEAS Fiona Gilmore will present the offshore alternative to industrialising Suffolk Coastal.

9 November: BBC Radio Suffolk - Aldeburgh: The Sea Link proposals

Interviews from the Sealink public consultation - featuring SEAS David McKenna

9 November: Sealink- BBC 'Suffolk residents raise concerns about offshore Sea Link cable project'

National Grid is planning Sealink a 90-mile (145km) project connecting Friston and Richborough in Kent, including connection points on land, to take excess energy out of Suffolk which should go offshore closer to London

5 November: LionLink - Suffolk County Council criticises power cable scheme

Plans for a huge electricity cable to come onshore near protected sites were "wholly unacceptable", the council said.

24 October: SEALINK Statutory Consultation is live 24 Oct - 18 Dec 2023

SEALINK is an HVDC subsea transmission cable which takes EXCESS power from Friston to Kent. This is the FINAL stage of the process before a DCO (Development Consent Order) application in 2024 so do get involved.

21 October: EADT Government minister to return to Suffolk following Councils' letter

A Government minister Andrew Bowie will be returning to Suffolk next month after a letter signed by 37 councils called for 'greater engagement' on energy projects.

 

21 October: EADT 'Suffolk wind farm group granted Court of Appeal hearing'

SEAS believes Lord Justice Singh's decision will enable the case for an offshore grid to be advanced, instead of routing the cables from the East Anglia ONE and TWO wind farms through rural areas.

20 October: Court fight against $8bn Iberdrola mega-project cleared to continue

SEAS granted permission to appeal against an earlier decision by the High Court in London, that rejected its calls for a judicial review into UK government consent for substations being built, as part of Iberdrola’s offshore wind mega-project off eastern England.

9 October: New York Times article featuring SEAS

'Green Energy Casts a Shadow Over a Cherished English Landscape' - Stanley Read visited East Anglia, writing about how "residents of East Anglia fear that planned power lines for offshore wind projects will blight their rural idyll".

6 October: The Times on LionLink consultation, 'Celebrities join campaign against green energy cable at Suffolk village'

"Wind farm interconnector would help to power 1.8m homes, but Walberswick locals say it would be disastrous for the landscape, wildlife and tourism".

28 September: BBC Look East - Latest Energy News

Prime Minister Richi Sunak struggles to justify current plans for onshore wind infrastructure and nuclear

27 September: East Suffolk Council Energy Debate

Meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday, 27 September 2023 - Agenda Documents HERE

27 September: Fantastic turnout to LionLink consultations

Recent consultation events in Reydon/Southwold and Walberswick saw over 700 locals showed up to oppose LionLink’s ridiculous plans.

25 September: Great Libby Purves Time Article

Lack of energy plan risks panic-bulldozing - It’s time Government laid out what infrastructure is needed where, or we will rush into destroying our countryside

25 September: Article in The Sun - Walberswick being destroyed

LOCALS in the seaside village of Walberswick which is home to a number of celebs say it’s being destroyed by huge trenches which are as wide as a motorway.

22 September: BBC Radio4 Today - Electricity infrastructure / Offshore Grid

Prof Nick Butler Energy Economist and Rosie Pearson from Pylons interviewed about Britain's energy infrastructure

7 August: Press Release re Winser Report

Winser Report - Independent recommendations from the UK’s Electricity Networks Commissioner, Nick Winser, on how to accelerate the deployment of electricity transmission infrastructure.

30 July: SEAS Commentary on the 27 July 2023 OTNR Report

The OTNR took three years to be completed heralding new policy reforms for a Future Framework, at last a master plan in the making.

27 July: DESNZ publishes response to OTNR consultation

Offshore Transmission Network Review: proposals for an enduring regime and multi-purpose interconnectors

27 July: Ørsted already building trench for Hornsea Three wind farm

Carving of 80m wide trench through Norfolk countryside begins (eventually 53km long)

21 July: Joint letter with Pylons to Andrew Bowie correcting National Grid's costings

We correct National Grid's disingenuous Offshore Grid costings for East Anglia

19 July: PRESS RELEASE re JR decision and Appeal

SEAS were disappointed re the JR judgment but having reviewed it with legal team have decided to proceed with an Appeal.

16 July: Emails to Grant Shapps urging OFFSET MPs meeting

SEAS and many supporters emailed urging a meeting before MPs summer recess

26 Jun: Fiona Gilmore on BBC Radio Suffolk re Offshore Grid

National Grid launch a public consultation about Norwich to Tilbury pylons, Fiona Gilmore speaks to Luke Deal about the offshore grid alternative.

17 May: Positive meeting with Nuclear & Networks Minister Andrew Bowie MP

After four years of invitations to successive energy Ministers SEAS finally met face to face to discuss an Offshore Grid

5 May: Greens sweep East Suffolk Council Elections

Congratulations to Aldeburgh & Leiston's new East Suffolk Councillors: Tom Daly (Energy & Climate Change ), Katie Graham (Communities. Leisure, Tourism) and Sarah Whitelock. Also to Caroline Topping the new ESC Leader

29 Mar: Therese Coffey presents her petition to the House of Commons

Signed by 3,821 people, the petition requests a comparative study for East Anglia of offshore transmission network designs, including with landfall at brownfield sites, properly assessing environmental impacts before current energy proposals are taken further.

8 Mar: National Grid ESO announces Offshore Transmission routes review for East Anglia

Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk Community Groups are jointly demanding a review of an offshore grid linking ALL of East Anglia’s windfarms & interconnectors to offshore energy platforms, subsea cabling power to suitable brownfield landing sites.

Ireland announces Offshore Wind Policy

Their plan requires future offshore wind farms to be built in Designated Marine Areas, and proposes they will connect to offshore substations designed and built by EirGrid. Britain needs to set up the independent FSO in 2023 and do the same.

Green energy revolt threatens Tory support in minister's backyard

BBC journalist Joshua Nevett recently interviewed SEAS Fiona Gilmore as part of a local tour

SEAS co-sign a letter to Graham Stuart with Norfolk Parishes and East Anglia Pylons

SEAS call for Graham Stuart to seize the opportunity presented by developers such as Orsted seeking to renegotiate their contracts for difference.

Court of Appeal grant SEAS permission to proceed to Judicial Review

SEAS Reply to Minister Graham Stuart's 16 Jan letter pinpoints why it is disingenuous and full of false promises.

Fantastic article  'An Offshore Grid is no fantasy' in the East Anglian Daily Times (30 Jan 2023), based on a letter from SEAS founder Fiona Gilmore.

Jerome Mayhew MP at Sheringham Shoal & Dudgeon DCO Open Hearing 17 Jan 2023, calling for an Offshore Transmission Network for East Anglia, cumulative impact assessment and connection point renegotiation.

SEAS Response to National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) consultation on Sea Link Interconnector - 18 December 2022

SEAS Response to National Grid Ventures (NGV) consultation on Eurolink Interconnector - 18 December 2022

2022 Review Newsletter: A Review of the Year's Achievements and Festive Greetings to All

SEAS Letter to National Grid CEO John Pettigrew about what needs to happen next - 4 December 2022

Environment secretary calls for a review of Suffolk energy projects - 6 December 2022

Libby Purves' article in The Times sums up Therese Coffey meeting perfectly
Great letter in The Times from Derek Wyatt regarding the Therese Coffey public meeting 25 November

SEAS Fiona Gilmore on BBC Radio Suffolk Oct 24th re National Grid's public consultations for Sealink & Eurolink

SEAS Fiona Gilmore on ITV Anglia News Oct 24th live from Friston & Snape re National Grid's public consultations for Sealink & Eurolink
Tony Lodge, Centre for Policy Studies believes we need a public inquiry into this energy disaster.

‘Years of ministerial dithering alongside bad planning have helped deliver the perfect storm’

"SASES strongly supports offshore wind and has only taken this action due to the deep flaws in the onshore aspects of these projects and the associated decision making"  SASES

As of early evening on 31 March 2022, ScottishPower Renewables East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two offshore wind projects have been consented.

A difficult time for many and for those directly affected, hard to bear.

We have all challenged and opposed with reason, emotion and determination.  Sadly, our voices did not prevail.

"It is a total disaster for this area and by implication the rest of the UK ... We are suggesting we can find brownfield sites, clean them up and build the hubs there, not in this kind of pristine ancient farm land."

Onshore eyesores that come with offshore wind farms to be shrunk.

Plan to reduce unsightly infrastructure such as cables, substations and pylons in government push to get coastal communities onside.

Legal action threatened over wind farms

Communities in Suffolk are threatening legal action.  SEAS has sent a pre-action protocol letter to Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng urging a rethink before seeking permission to apply for a judicial review.

Campaigners 'devastated' after two large wind farms off Suffolk coast given consent.

"This is extremely bad news for the area ... We're thinking about taking this decision to a judicial review."  Fiona Gilmore SEAS

The decision would mean "the devastation of Friston and east Suffolk ... It will mean the loss of 100 acres of farmland at Friston to build the substation."  SASES

 

Concern over imminent decision on wind farms ...

... we are proud of having renewables at sea. We are very proud of it, but we believe that there are better solutions for the sub-stations, not just for habitats and the environment, but also for the local economy ..."  Fiona Gilmore, SEAS

"We are recommending brownfield sites ... and have requested a split decision ... to prevent the loss of land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ..." Sarah Courage, Kelsale

"Wind energy can be gathered from three or four windfarms at offshore platforms and brought to brownfield hubs ..."  Fiona Gilmore, SEAS

Celebrities speak out against onshore energy hub

"Sir ... A split decision is suggested, to continue building wind turbines but to pivot to offshore integrated cabling to brownfield sites."

Dame Joanna Lumley and actor Ralph Fiennes have warned in a joint letter that two planned wind farms off the Suffolk coast could see an area of beautiful countryside "disappear under a sea of concrete".

 

The largest onshore energy hub in the UK is anything but green. Developers have chosen an outdated, cheap, easy location for their own benefit. There is a better way forward. Energy can be taken to a brownfield site, closer to London where it is needed.

Green Party, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors at  East Suffolk Council have said further work should be paused ...

"I understand this is a big challenge for Government and developers but our communities really do need to see some action now, after what has been a lot of talking, it is time to get a grip." 

"If this means calling a pause to further onshore activity until strategic co-ordination is in place, then so be it"  
East Anglian Daily Times, 10 February 2022

At last, a journalist Laura Hughes, has taken time to visit, interview and research in to the particular problems associated with substations and how power from different wind farms can now be integrated at sea and brought to land via a reduced number of cables with brownfield sites used for clustering substations and inter-connectors.
Suffolk residents and Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council rail against plans for Nautilus onshore energy project in East Suffolk, 12 January 2022

Interview with SEAS biodiversity expert Dr. Gill Horrocks  The podcast highlights the importance of balancing our need for renewable energy with the need to look after irreplaceable landscapes that bring a richness not just to wildlife but to human habitation and to our communities and to people's quality of life.

National Grid Ventures and Nautilus Interconnector between Suffolk and Belgium.

"Greener solution tabled to replace ‘destructive’ Suffolk energy plans", New Civil Engineer, 20 September 2021

"The onshore aspects of these projects must be rejected"  The Rt Hon Dr Therese Coffey MP

Campaigners call for 'split decision' over Suffolk windfarm projects, East Anglian Daily Times, 19 July 2021

The terrifying scale of ground investigation works at the substation site of Friston. A tiny foretaste of what is to come if we do not stop these plans.

Interviews with Sarah Bardwell, Andrew Heald, Jason Gathorne-Hardy, Maggi Hambling, George Pell, Jenny Hall, Tony Bone and others.

New Policy Exchange Report, touts East Coast of England as the best place for an integrated 'Pathfinder' project.

Our congratulations to the two newly elected Councillors for East Suffolk Council.  Notably both candidates support a ‘Split Decision’ as a way forward.

ABOUT SEAS

Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS), founded in August 2019, is a community group set up to campaign against the severe adverse impacts of the National Grid and Governments ill-conceived plans of making Friston and Suffolk Coastal into an Energy Hub. SEAS is in favour of offshore wind energy but against the current proposals for the delivery of that wind power to the grid which will have a devastating impact on a unique onshore environment, social health and wellbeing, the local tourist economy and coastal communities. SEAS has promoted for the last three years a smarter solution, using offshore integration and brownfield sites closer to where the power is needed.

THE STORY SO FAR

The launching of the SEA LINK (a subsea transmission cable from coastal Suffolk to Kent) and LION LINK (an Interconnector between coastal Suffolk and Holland) consultation process by National Grid combined with the Nautilus Interconnector and ScottishPower Renewables offshore windfarms East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two further reveals the hard evidence and leaves no doubt that Suffolk Coast and Heaths is threatened by an onslaught of energy infrastructure projects.

NEEDLESS DESTRUCTION

Current outdated plans would create one or two onshore Energy Superhubs within the coastal area and severely affect communities along the precious Heritage Coast from Southwold, Walberswick, and Dunwich to Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. Halesworth, Yoxford, Saxmundham, Leiston and all the villages between could be impacted during 10 years of construction compounding the traffic issues for the A12 and rural lanes which were never intended for mass industrialisation. Sizewell C will further exacerbate the congestion. Aldeburgh’s main arterial route the A1094 could become a no-go zone for visitors and emergency services may fail to be timely. The cumulative impact of these MULTIPLE PROJECTS would effectively industrialise this area of outstanding natural beauty and decimate the local nature-tourism reliant economy. This is NEEDLESS VANDALISM, given a better alternative is available now.

THE MODERN SOLUTION

An OFFSHORE GRID through the NORTH SEA CORRIDOR would avoid churning up rural areas, AONB, SSSI, SPA and prime farmland to reach multiple onshore substations and negate the outcry over 180 pylons cutting swathes through precious countryside from Norwich in Norfolk through Suffolk to Bramford on to Tilbury through Essex. Building onshore infrastructure at brownfield sites closer to where the power is needed would ensure better solutions for the local tourism economies, local communities and the environment.

Belgium, Germany, Holland and Denmark are already introducing these kinds of integrated offshore grids using offshore platforms and artificial islands for operation by 2030. There is no good reason why the UK cannot do the same. The North Sea Corridor is the modern way forward. Coastal Suffolk is a DEVIATION

A RISING TIDE OF OPPOSITION

There is a rising tide of opposition from across the political spectrum to current short-sighted proposals, MPs have formed ‘OFFSET’ a group to lobby for an offshore grid, have debated in Westminster and are actively seeking an OFFSHORE GRID. Essex and Norfolk community groups are also strongly opposing similar ill-conceived energy projects and the united call is for an OFFSHORE GRID connecting to brownfield sites nearer to where the power is needed.

WHY IS EAST ANGLIA IS BEING THROWN UNDER A BUS?

The harsh reality is that East Anglia is being thrown under a bus by DESNZ and National Grid as they instruct offshore wind farm developers to connect to National Grid Substations (many not even built) on the East Coast to deposit their offshore wind power ignoring the Holistic Network Design criteria being used elsewhere in the UK. This is madness when other North Sea countries are investing in offshore grids and using brownfield or industrialised sites close to where the power is needed.

WHAT CAN YOU DO

There is a better alternative that has already been developed by National Grid and proved deliverable These alternative plans are more cost efficient than the current proposals and require 50% less infrastructure, so is beneficial for the environment: an OFFSHORE GRID through the North Sea Corridor. These National Grid plans from 2015 and 2020 could be updated and implemented quickly. SEAS proposed alternative solution of a Modular Offshore Grid (MOG) can be implemented WITHIN THE SAME TIMESCALE as the current proposed plans, which we now understand have been delayed by two years.

“We destroy plants at our peril. Neither we nor any other animal can survive without them. The time has now come for us to cherish our green inheritance, not to pillage it – for without, we will surely perish.” Sir David Attenborough

Experts calculate that 81% of turtle doves have been lost in the East of England since the 1970s

Campaign With Us

We are asking you to write, to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), see full details HERE

Yes to Offshore Wind Energy, Let's Do it Right

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