The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has met RenewableUK’s Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive in Lincolnshire, where they agreed on the urgent need for reforming the planning system in England to enable onshore wind farms to go ahead, alongside wider measures to boost renewables and cut bills. 

Under the current system there is a de facto ban on new onshore wind in England, where planning rules have led to a 95% drop in the amount of onshore wind capacity being built. 

They visited Bishopthorpe onshore wind farm to the south of Grimsby yesterday, where they discussed the benefits the technology offers as one of the UK’s cheapest forms of new power and one of the quickest to build, at a time when energy independence has shot up the political agenda. 

They also visited Ørsted’s offshore wind Operations and Maintenance centre in Grimsby, where they met apprentices who have seized the opportunity to enter this fast-growing sector which is revitalising coastal communities. Sir Keir held a roundtable meeting at the centre with onshore and offshore wind industry leaders from BayWa r.e., Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Ørsted, RWE and RenewableUK. They agreed on the need for a new industrial strategy to enable the sector to scale up more rapidly. The Labour leader heard from industry representatives that there is an urgent need to build new infrastructure at ports around the UK, upgrade the grid faster and reform the Contracts for Difference support scheme to maximise the amount of new capacity we can secure annually and build up the UK’s supply chain.     

The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: 
“The solution to the energy crisis is clear – we need to go all out for cheap, clean, homegrown 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 billpayers.  

“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% clean power by 2030 will deliver lower bills, greater security, good jobs and a stronger economy for entire country”.

RenewableUK’s CEO Dan 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”. 

RenewableUK’s Deputy CEO Melanie Onn added: 
“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”. 

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: RenewableUK