On 13 October, Starmer singled out just one project in his rallying speech to global investors. It was ScottishPower’s EA2, costing £4billion, generating 1GW clean energy and delayed by regulation (4,000 documents ) and two years of judicial reviews. A view...
News
National Grid Awarded £870k to Explore New Offshore Solutions
SEAS welcomes the news that National Grid has been awarded these monies to explore the benefits of superconducting cables and offshore islands/ platforms. Offshore grid technology advances are being taken up by North Sea countries who have been pioneering their own...
Open Letter to Chris Stark and Fintan Slye
Offshore4sure has written an open letter 'The faster, more cost-efficient way to Net Zero', to Chris Stark who is heading up the Government's Mission Control 2030 and Fintan Slye CEO of the new NESO (National Energy System Operator). We outline how a meshed offshore...
SEAS Response to Ofgem Consultation
SEAS recently responded to Ofgem's Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework consultation. We stressed the importance of spatial energy strategy planning and that it should be based on key design principles. 1. Refurbish/upgrade onshore infrastructure to...
BBC Radio 4 Today Programme Interview
Great coverage for SEAS today with Fiona Gilmore interviewed by Nick Robinson on BBC RADIO 4's TODAY programme. Fiona spoke about the better 'Offshore Grid' solutions available to help Britain get to Net Zero quicker and cheaper, without unnecessarily destroying...
‘With One Voice’ Aldeburgh Beach Rally was a HUGE SUCCESS!
On the 1st of September an amazing c. 500 strong group of supporters gathered together beside the Scallop on Aldeburgh Beach for our Offshore4sure 'With Once Voice' Beach Rally. Thank you so much to every one of you who showed up, applauded, cheered, booed and...
Michael Shanks Scraps OCSS
“This announcement from the Minister for Energy scrapping the OCSS is not necessarily bad news.” SEAS suspected that this award made by the OCSS was a way to halt sensible pilot options for LionLink to pool energy with ScottishPower ( SPR) EA1N and EA2; and Nautilus...
SEAS Response to Ofgem Consultation re Accelerated Funding & Approval Framework
We have been bombarded with developer and Ofgem consultations recently including this 'Consultation on the proposed regulatory funding and approval framework for onshore transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan 2 projects'. In our opinion this consultation...
Supporter Email Exchange With Ofgem re Nautilus Consultation
One of our supporters recently had an interesting exchange with an 'Engagement Analyst' at Ofgem, who replies to some emails on behalf of Ofgem's CEO Jonathan Brearley. See the exchange below with 1. The original email, 2. The Ofgem reply and then 3. The further...
SEAS Response to Ofgem’s Nautilus Consultation
Nautilus has changed plans deciding to come to Friston after all, and Ofgem has held a consultation on these changes for which we had to submit our views by 15 August. The revised plans will require the construction of a dedicated substation at Friston and an...
SEAS Response to Sea Link Additional Consultation
In Newsletter 149 we introduced the changes that NGET are proposing in the Sea Link Project Update and we advised supporters of how to submit guidance and the points to focus on in Newsletter 152. SEAS has now submitted its own more detailed feedback and you can READ...
Positive Press About Offshore Grids
Some great news coverage recently signalling the benefits of offshore grids and offshore platforms & energy islands. Sir Kier Starmer has said it doesn't matter where good ideas come from and that the Government plans to learn from best practices in Europe. These...
SEAS Open Letter to the Press
See SEAS Open Letter to the Press and key Organisations reproduced here below: Britain’s Winning Strategy for Energy Infrastructure 2025 to 2050 An open letter calling for imagination, common sense and consideration to local communities as the nation decides on the...
Energy Election Hustings 9 June
To a packed house of 280 local residents, Bishop Martin chaired the Energy Election Hustings Q&A session with good humour and grace. The four political candidates participating were:Dr Therese Coffey, ConservativeJulian Cusack, GreenJenny Riddell-Carpenter,...
New Report ‘Greening the Great Grid Upgrade’
Concerns about a lack of well-thought-through policies and joined-up thinking about National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade have prompted the Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) to join with Norfolk and Essex branches of the CPRE (Campaign To Protect Rural England) to...
Westminster Hall Debate on Pylons & Upgrades to the National Grid
The debate was called by Matt Warman MP (Conservative, Boston and Skegness) WATCH the excellent speeches by Wera Hobhouse HERE and by Therese Coffey HERE Key Points: There is virtual unanimity amongst all the MPs who spoke that the current upgrade plans need to be...
National Grid hypocrisy over subsea HVDC cables for offshore solutions
National Grid are using subsea HVDC cables on multiple projects, making claims this technology is too expensive a nonsense. National Grid has multiple projects in the pipeline that utilise the long-distance transmission of power using HVDC subsea cables and yet...
Therese Coffey speaks out: “my constituents have been shafted”.
Therese Coffey has been busy on our behalf. On 29 March, Suffolk Coastal's MP spoke with forthright candour to the Delegated Legislation Committee, which was considering the Government's Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy - WATCH her informative speech HERE...
Ofgem’s vision for a future transmission network could be a meshed offshore grid
Good news. On 1 March 2024, Ofgem published a very important report recommending a future transmission network design resembling a meshed offshore grid. It was called: “Initial Project Assessment (IPA) of the Offshore Hybrid Asset (OHA) Pilot Projects" OHA’s are...
SEAS Response to the LionLink EIA Scoping Document
SEAS analysed LionLink’s massive Environmental Impact Scoping Report, and sent its formal response objecting on four counts:1) Roads and Traffic2) Tourism and Hospitality3) Coastal erosion and Geology4) Biodiversity and Ecology READ the SEAS Response to the LionLink...
ITV Anglia 4 April – Hornsea 3 wind farm cables ploughing through 35 miles of Norfolk countryside
The onshore infrastructure for Hornsea 3, a 3gw offshore windfarm (the largest in the world) being built by Danish developer Orsted, involves 35miles of cable trenches ploughing through the Norfolk countryside, from Weybourne on the coast to just outside Norwich,...
Judicial Review Appeal Decision
⚠️⚠️ On Friday 22nd, THE JUDGMENT was handed down from the COURT of APPEAL, and we are SORRY to SHARE the NEWS that it went AGAINST Suffolk Energy Action Solutions. We will need to study the reasons for the decision and then consider if we can apply to the Supreme...
EADT: Friston suffering ‘disproportionate harm’ councillors say
SEAS protested against unnecessary National Grid onshore infrastructure outside Suffolk County Council's Endeavour House office on Thursday 21 March ahead of their meeting. The leader of Suffolk County Council said the authority 'recognised the impact' plans to...
SEAS on Politics East – East Anglia Study Publication
Great BBC article on their website and Politics East covered the publication of National Grid ESO's East Anglia Study Results, with SEAS Fiona Gilmore, Therese Coffey and Clive Lewis. There are better alternatives to current plans as studio guests agree and National...
Exploding The Myths
EXPLODING THE MYTHS National Grid’s propaganda asserts the following claims. SEAS supporters should challenge their assertions. “Offshore solutions are not straightforward for GB. Because our wind farms are so much bigger than Belgium’s. GB can’t do these offshore...
Wake Up National Grid You Are Out Of Date
Last week, we were assailed with devastating news regarding LionLink’s plans:LionLink’s Non-Statutory Consultation documents, confirmed proposals for ANOTHER HUGE 26 m HIGH SAXMUNDHAM CONVERTER STATION and LANDFALLS at WALBERSWICK or REYDON/ SOUTHWOLD, all...
ITV Anglia featuring SEAS – LionLink decides preferred landfall sites at Southwold or Walberswick
See ITV Anglia's extended piece on LionLink's proposed landfall sites and its impact on the Suffolk Coast. National Grid has revealed the preferred landfall sites and cabling routes for the LionLink interconnector between Holland and the UK, with proposed landfall at...
LionLink proposed landfall sites revealed.
National Grid has revealed the preferred landfall sites and cabling routes for the LionLink interconnector between Holland and the UK, with proposed landfall at Southwold or Walberswick. This makes it more likely that Sea Link an HVDC cable between Suffolk and Kent,...
SEAS Meeting with Suffolk County Council
On 7 February there was a SEAS Meeting with Suffolk County Council, about SCC's unsatisfactory response to the Sealink consultation and the recent National Grid ESO East Anglia Study Roundtable discussions, with Councillor Richard Rout, Phil Watson (Strategic Energy...
Ralph Fiennes on Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg
Wasn't it great to see Ralph Fiennes on Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg 11 February, in such eloquent and passionate form, what a terrific champion and knowledgeable advocate for the SEAS cause. To make his film COAST and for this Laura Kuennsberg interview, he has shown...
SEAS on BBC Radio 4 with Evan Davis
Fiona Gilmore gets great balanced coverage + a poor response from National Grid.
Campaigners launch petition and film to counter National Grid’s Suffolk ‘energy hub’
Campaign group Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS) has launched a national petition and short documentary 'Coast' starring Ralph Fiennes to stop National Grid's infrastructure proposals as part of The Great Grid Upgrade.
East Anglia Bylines Ralph Fiennes Article
Suffolk coast is under siege by National Grid NG's destructive infrastructure plans sparks a national petition and a powerful film 'Coast' appeal. Suffolk’s coastline, a haven of windswept beaches and ancient heathlands, faces an unprecedented threat. National Grid...
SEAS launch Petition along with Ralph Fiennes Film ‘Coast’
Please sign and share our National Petition! Alongside it is a brilliant new film 'COAST' made for SEAS by Ralph Fiennes and Director Charles Sturridge, with many film crew and animators also giving up their time for free. This film superbly captures what we have to...
EADT – National Grid ESO considers study on SEAS proposals
SEAS Fiona Gilmore believes National Grid ESO will carry out a 'comparative study' into bringing the cables onshore at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex VS a new substation at Friston.
BBC Article re SeaLink – SEAS quoted
Consultation on Suffolk-Kent Sea Link project ends after 1k responses. SEAS David McKenna says, "..the problem is over a number of decades the government has effectively surrendered control of this industry to the private sector."
SEAS Response to SeaLink Consultation
SEAS sent a detailed response to SeaLink about their recent Statutory Consultation, pushing back against their unsatisfactory consultation and misguided plans
SEAS in EADT – Concerns OCSS wind farm funding will ‘end Suffolk oasis’
Fiona Gilmore gets great balanced coverage + a poor response from National Grid.
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.
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
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 – 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.
Sealink- BBC ‘Suffolk residents concerned about 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
BBC Radio Suffolk – Aldeburgh: The Sea Link proposals
Interviews from the Sealink public consultation - featuring SEAS David McKenna
SEAS Response to LionLink Supplementary Non-Statutory Consultation
SEAS Response to LionLink Supplementary Non-Statutory Consultation
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".
BBC Look East – Latest Energy News
Prime Minister Richi Sunak struggles to justify current plans for onshore wind infrastructure and nuclear.
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