Ed Miliband pledges to 'double down' on solar, wind and nuclear power
Yorkshire is a popular location for energy companies to explore renewable projects due to its geography and connection to the grid.
Ed Miliband has pledged to “double down” on his push for homegrown clean energy through solar, nuclear and wind power, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Energy Security Secretary was speaking at the Good Growth Foundation’s National Growth Debate yesterday, as he announced plans to delink the connection between international gas prices and UK electricity.
Mr Miliband announced the plan as he claimed the “era of fossil fuel security is over”, and said current measures aimed at breaking the link gradually were not enough on their own.
He said: “Clean energy is the great industrial and economic project for our country in the 21st century.
“It’s even more important, our clean energy mission, given what’s unfolded in the last few weeks.”
Mr Miliband called the latest Middle East conflict - which has seen Iran blockade oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz - as the “second fossil fuel shock in less than five years”.
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“While some have said we’ve gone too far and too fast, I profoundly disagree,” he explained.
“In response to recent events, our actions must now be faster, deeper and more wide ranging which will protect our security - we have not a moment to waste.
“That is why we will double down, not back down on our mission for clean energy.”
Last month, wind power hit a new record by providing electricity for 23 million homes, while in February a record number of solar projects were approved in the Government’s major clean energy auction.
However, Mr Miliband has faced push back from communities across Yorkshire over the scale of solar roll out in the region.
More than 300 solar farms are currently in the planning pipeline across the region, with the 3,500-acre Whitestone Solar Farm in Conisburgh, South Yorkshire, on green belt land which is attracting the ire of a number of local MPs.
Yorkshire is a popular location for energy companies to explore renewable projects due to its geography and connection to the grid.
Saudi-backed developers have proposed controversial plans to build an industrial-scale wind farm on Walshaw Moor — thought to be the inspiration for Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
Walshaw Moor, near Halifax in West Yorkshire, is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area due to its rare peatland habitat and red-listed bird species, including curlews, lapwings, skylarks, merlins, and golden plovers.