SEAS Campaign
News & Blog

Anger over 'disastrous' changes that paved way for huge substation

Energy bosses have been accused of "serious mismanagement" of two wind farm projects leading to unnecessary destruction of Suffolk's countryside.

Denmark plans to build artificial islands for windfarms

Denmark plans to build artificial islands for windfarmsEnergy park of one or more islands would be able to supply up to 10 million households

Are Suffolk's prized landscapes 'paying for the nation's energy needs'?

As part of the EADT series about Suffolk's 'Energy Coast' they look at concerns over the impact energy developments are having on the region's beautiful landscapes on which its multimillion pound visitor economy depends.

A Jean Herring blog on the community discussion at Aldeburgh Cinema on Sunday 8 December.

At Sunday's Community event held at Aldeburgh Cinema, it was good to see SASES, SOS and SEAS working together with members of the Norfolk Campaign groups. There was a positive atmosphere in the Cinema, representatives from various Parish Councils, County and District Councillors all contributing to the Discussion. Members of the public who wished to find out more gave helpful feedback.

This is the Letter sent to Norfolk Vanguard on 6 December delaying the DCO for a further 6 months

Offshore wind farm decision delayed amid concerns - Good news for the Norfolk Campaigners

A decision on whether to allow a huge wind farm off the Norfolk coast has been delayed amid a raft of concerns. Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has now written to Norfolk Vanguard's developer, Vattenfall, as well as Natural England and local councils, asking it to address issues ranging from traffic to the environment.

A Community discussion - Sunday 8 December, 1pm Aldeburgh Cinema

A fantastic turnout to this community discussion and a great opportunity for three local campaign groups to work together and join forces with Norfolk campaign groups to fight for a mutual cause, the challenging of SPR plans. More

Campaigners unite in calling for a pause before 'onslaught' of energy projects 'devastates' region

Campaigners and politicians have called on the Government to pause the expansion of the energy industry in Suffolk, which they fear will turn the countryside into an "industrial wasteland" and hit tourism.

The Hustings: A personal view from Jean Herring

At Saturday’s Hustings in Aldeburgh, Paul Chandler asked the question that we all wanted to ask. To summarise: would the candidates oppose the current plans and call for a full Review to seek better offshore solutions?

Invitation to join in an informal discussion for the Community: ScottishPower Renewables plans, the threat to coastal Suffolk and alternative solutions.

We hope that you can join us on SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER at 1PM at ALDEBURGH CINEMA to participate or just listen to an open discussion relating to: ScottishPower Renewables DCO process; the Review announced by Andrea Leadsom; the alternative offshore transmission infrastructure solutions, in particular a shared RingMain and the threatened environmental and community damage.

Grimsby leading 'massive UK success story' according to Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has taken in the world’s largest offshore wind operations and maintenance base on the General Election campaign, as she underlined the “massive UK success story” that Grimsby is leading on. She also floated a potential consultation into an offshore ring main – an alternative to the current system of each farm having a direct onshore substation link – should she be returned and remain in post, with further questions about floating wind turbines, safety and vessel development.

Aldeburgh Hustings Day - Our voices will not be drowned

SATURDAY, 30th November was Aldeburgh Hustings day. The Revd. Mark Lowther Chaired the meeting with four Suffolk candidates present: Greens, Lib Dem, Labour, Conservatives...

National Grid: will Tories nationalise the energy system operator?

Although this article is from March 2016, it is a great verification of Tories considering a form of Nationalisation of National Grid back then (due apparently to "Big Profits"). It begs the question.... Why did they not follow through? And what will they do about it now? Surely, this further illustrates why Mrs Leadsom must halt developments and call a Public Inquiry.The Week UK | National Grid: will Tories nationalise the energy system operator? | Mar 3, 2016

SSE and National Grid move offshore to protect against nationalisation plans

SSE and National Grid have moved part of their businesses offshore to protect themselves and their investors against the Labour Party’s nationalisation plans.The Sunday Times has reported National Grid has opened holding companies in Hong Kong and Luxembourg and suggests SSE has done the same in Switzerland.The precaution would not prevent the companies from being taken over by a Labour Government but could help to protect investors – the party plans to renationalise the UK’s railways, mail service, water supply, broadband provision and energy networks to benefit consumers, decarbonise the economy faster and create jobs.

UK may launch review as lawmakers call for offshore wind 'ring main'

The UK could launch a review into the onshore impact of offshore wind farms in the east of England, after local members of parliament backed the idea of an ‘offshore ring main’ as an alternative to multiple power links and called for a freeze on planning while the matter is settled, Recharge has learned.

NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER BY THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE

Notice is hereby given that the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) has accepted an application made byEast Anglia TWO Limited

Good news from Woodbridge hustings on Thursday 21 November, all four candidates declare their support.

Last night SEAS attended the Woodbridge hustings. There must have been around 300 locals attending. The St John’s Church was packed. SEAS asked the following question of all four candidates: “Would you support a Public Inquiry and call a halt to the Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) Development Consent Order process, which is due to begin on 23 November?'

Postcards and emails update

Postcards and emails update: On Wednesday 19 November SEAS campaigners delivered by hand the first batch of 700 signed postcards calling for a public inquiry to Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for BEIS. ‍ Other postcards have been sent by individuals as well as hundreds of emails and letters.

Why can't the UK have hub platforms or an offshore ring main (ORM) like Holland and Germany?

If the UK is to meet their commitment to the Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas reductions, surely it is better to build offshore solutions for wind farm energy delivery, rather than release more emissions by digging up the countryside to lay cables and build massive substations, interconnectors and converters. The Government should take a leaf out of NSWPH's book, keep it all in one place, offshore..

Invite Family and Friends to write to the Secretary of State

If you haven't already done so, why not invite your friends and family to write to the Secretary of State.... use the sample letter.

North Sea Wind Power Hub and Spoke

A coordinated roll-out of North Sea Wind Power Hubs facilitates an accelerated deployment of large scale offshore wind in the North Sea required to support realizing the Paris Agreements target in time, with minimum environmental impact and at the lowest cost for society (urgency & cost savings), while maintaining security of supply.

Suffolk is like the ‘The Shire’ in Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ says Fiona Cairns, Director of Suffolk Preservation Society.  

"The industrialisation of The Shire was based on Tolkein’s childhood experience of the blighting of the Worcestershire countryside by the spread of heavy industry. In the Fellowship of the Ring the main protagonists have their homeland in The Shire: Frodo,Sam, Merry and Pippin all had to face great danger in their quest against grave threats to life as they knew it. I think many of the [Suffolk]communities that I have spoken to in recent months will identify with the plight of Frodo and his friends." writes Fiona Cairns, Director of Suffolk Preservation Society.

What are the main threats facing East Anglia's environment?

‍'Huge energy projects mustn't come at the expense of the Suffolk landscape' Without question, the most important issue globally is climate change. Unless we keep the average rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius on pre-industrial levels, the implications are dire for us as a species, and for ecosystems the world over. That is why we recently declared a Climate Emergency at Suffolk County Council with the ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.However, locally my main concern is the huge energy projects, including Sizewell C and the ScottishPower Renewables wind farms, that we are expected to accommodate.Production of clean energy is essential but a small corridor of Suffolk is currently bearing the brunt of these nationally significant infrastructure projects. These schemes mustn't come at the expense of our rural communities and unique Suffolk landscape. We're lobbying Government to produce an over-arching Suffolk strategy to protect our county, give peace of mind to local residents, and provide clarity to us as local authorities. (Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for the Environment)

Review launched into onshore impact of offshore wind farms

Andrea Leadsom, the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, has announced the review after meeting a delegation of MPs from Suffolk and Norfolk last month.

A view from Suffolk Preservation Society's Chair, Andrew Fane

Andrew Fane, Chairman of Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) and Supporter of SEAS comments in the SPS Autumn Magazine 'Suffolk View'. Andrew expresses his concern that unchecked planning and development risks a diminution of our countryside and the erosion of the essential qualities of Suffolk. Ill-conceived land-grabs across unique biodiverse countryside for onshore wind energy substations, over zealous investors in mass housing and rapacious chicken farming could be the tipping point for this county.

George Freeman MP confirms Secretary of State will review and reassess offshore solutions including RingMains.

I am writing with some good news. After several years of campaigning with the residents of Necton, Great and Little Dunham, and a number of surrounding villages, to reduce the environmental impact of the electrical sub-station infrastructure from offshore wind, I have managed to secure a commitment from the Secretary of State for Energy to launch a Review into the environmental impact of the proposed network of cables and sub-stations, and in particular the possibility of an Offshore Ring Main as an alternative to multiple onshore cabling and sub-stations. I attach a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State which confirms the announcement of the Review.

23 Norfolk Parishes write to Andrea Leadsom calling for an offshore Ring Main

Alison comments that whether or not the receipt of this letter by the Secretary of State had any bearing on her decision to delay for 6 months… “we will probably never know. But we are glad of the reprieve, as it buys us time to continue the struggle to make our case for alternative grid connection arrangements - offshore. We would envisage the government and National Grid coming together to co-finance an offshore ring main around the whole of the East Anglian coast (say,Walpole nr. King's Lynn to Bramford nr. Ipswich?) and then charging a connection fee to each developer as they wished to be connected to it - a fee which would be advantageous to developers as it would be significantly less than the massive cost, and hassle,and time, and PR disaster involved in digging up Norfolk and Suffolk again and again and again.George Freeman MP and Norman Lamb MP both absolutely understand all this, and are still pushing for a direct meeting with Andrea Leadsom to discuss all this. We may or may not be part of such a meeting.”

Media ignore bigger threat to rare species from Scottish Power Renewables plans for 60m wide cable trenches gouging out the Sandlings

Paul Chandler of ‘Save our Sandlings’ was angered at the recent EADT article ‘Sizewell C could harm rare bats and birds claim wildlife experts’ when there was no mention of Scottish Power Renewables ill-conceived plans that would carve up more land than Sizewell C and harm wildlife and habitat for decades to come, Paul had to write to the editor and put the record straight:

6,000 new jobs claim from wind power is 'misleading', say campaigners

The independent report by Energy & Utility Skills Limited into the industry's future skills and labour requirements suggests it could bring 36,000 jobs nationwide by 2032 with 6,150 of these in the East of England.But Graeme Murray, chairman of the Anglian Energy Planning Alliance, which is seeking a solution to potential problems from multiple energy projects being planned for east Suffolk, said he feared the jobs would not materialise, despite assurances that they are a "completely credible estimate".Mr Murray said previous projects had not provided jobs expected and did not believe latest ventures would create permanent posts in Suffolk.

Villagers concerned over flood risk from major energy project

Concerns have been raised about the potential increased flood risk to a Suffolk village from a major energy project The project from Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) would see a 30-acre site created at Grove Wood in the village.One of those concerned about the risk posed by the project is Nicholas Thorp, who lives in Friston."There have been historic flooding issues in the village," said Mr Thorp."They did some work a few years ago and there's a storm drain the middle of the village."Despite this work, Mr Thorp said Friston was still experiencing serious flooding issues that he believed SPR needed to take into account in regards to the project.My neighbour's house got flooded twice in October. They have had an awful time," said Mr Thorp.

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Hope grows that Norfolk countryside won't have to be dug up for every new wind farm

Eastern Daily Press article "Hope grows that Norfolk countryside won't have to be dug up for every new wind farm"PUBLISHED: 13:50 11 September 2019 | UPDATED: 08:06 12 September 2019 by Tom Bristow In response to a meeting with North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb about building an ORM [Offshore Ring Main], National Grid wrote: "One possible solution which we are exploring to minimise the onshore impact of our infrastructure is for several offshore wind farms to be connected offshore via a ring main, reducing the number of individual inshore connections."

Suffolk is not the only area to be blighted by the invasion of cable trenches across countryside for wind farms

Is this an INVASION? Norfolk is experiencing the same badly conceived planning of wind farm infrastructure from offshore windfarms - 23 Parishes, MP George Freeman, MP Normal Lamb, RSPB and Natural England have all called for an Offshore Ring Main (ORM). Where is the Government and National Grid going wrong?

The Suffolk Energy Coast: A personal view by Simon Amstutz

As the manager of the staff team at the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it is my role to encourage the team and those from its associate Partnership to deliver the purposes of the national designation, to conserve and enhance natural beauty.The current and proposed developments on and adjacent to the Suffolk Coast will inevitably have an impact on the AONB.

Energy Infrastructure Projects Will Damage Tourism Economy

Plans for the development of new energy projects on the Suffolk coastline could impact the local visitor economy by up to £40m per year and could result in 400 job losses* according to research commissioned by The Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation (DMO). read full report: https://www.thesuffolkcoast.co.uk/tourism-research-and-reports

Have SPR and National Grid chosen the wrong location for their Substations / Interconnectors?

This flooding is not a one off in Friston. The locals have been warning the power companies that flooding is a common occurrence

Thoughts on The Suffolk Sandlings ... by a local resident

The Suffolk Sandlings is an area of beautiful, wild lowland heath,Britain’s rarest wildlife habitat, which runs in places from North Suffolk to Ipswich. The landscape, once dominated by woodland, is rich in flora and fauna and a huge tourist attraction. This habitat has declined by 90% in the last century and is now very rare. The Leiston Common information board pictured below says “This is our rain forest”!

How Friston looks today - in a few years time it will be an industrial waste land

An ancient right of way disappears, a bench no longer fit to sit on, a forlorn windmill in an industrial landscape....

The night skies of Aldringham

The night skies of Aldringham have always been beautiful. The splendour of the Milky Way still shines overhead, and several species of lowland rare bat, plus threatened hedgehogs, hares, bees, birds, and the nearly extinct glow-worm and stag beetle, can all still manage to live here.

World's largest wind turbines to be built off Yorkshire coast

The largest offshore wind turbines ever built will begin powering millions of British homes using blades more than 100 metres long by the early 2020s.

East Anglia's coast 'will be home to Labour's new generation of state-owned wind farms'

The coast of East Anglia will undoubtedly become home to a large proportion of the 37 wind farms the Labour Party has pledged to build if it enters government, an expert predicts.

Bird fears delay world's largest offshore wind plan go-ahead‍

Recharge.news article, 27th September, reporter Andrew Lee. The UK government has delayed for six months its decision over consent for the world’s largest planned offshore wind project – Orsted’s 2.4GW Hornsea 3 – after bird charities raised last minute fears over its impact.

SEAS @ Aldeburgh Carnival meets MAD MAX

The SEAS campaign was launched on Monday 19 August 2019 at the Aldeburgh Carnival. Passionate and concerned students created an impact with their dystopian view of the 21st Century new age Gold Rush fervour: big private sector energy companies, including SPR and National Grid Ventures racing to capitalise on the Crown Estates sale of our Seabeds (the new-age gold).

Could new offshore windfarms be coming to East Anglia?

More offshore wind farms could be on the way for the North Sea off East Anglia, as a new government bidding process opens. Eastern Regions has been named as one of four bidding areas named by The Crown Estate.

Suffolk's beaches some of the 'fastest eroding' coast in Europe

EAST ANGLIAN Daily Times article PUBLISHED: 10:17 16 September 2019 | Katy Sandalls "Suffolk's coastline is facing an uncertain future - and has some of the "fastest eroding beaches in Europe", according to an expert. "

Is this the way to stop offshore wind farm developers carving up miles of our region's countryside?

The East of England is rapidly becoming established a UK powerhouse for offshore energy.

Climate change: Electrical industry's 'dirty secret' boosts warming

It's the most powerful greenhouse gas known to humanity, and emissions have risen rapidly in recent years, the BBC has learned.Sulphur hexafluoride, or SF6, is widely used in the electrical industry to prevent short circuits and accidents.But leaks of the little-known gas in the UK and the rest of the EU in 2017 were the equivalent of putting an extra 1.3 million cars on the road.

Ibedrola wrap up sale of 40% in East Anglia One offshore wind project

September 2 (Renewables Now) - Iberdrola SA (BME:IBE) has closed the sale of the 40% stake it held in the company owning the 714-MW East Anglia One offshore wind project in the UK to a unit of Australia’s Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG).

We’ve already done our bit, fears over impact of hundreds more offshore turbines

More wind turbines could be built off the Suffolk coast after the region's seabed was included in a new round of bidding for developers