Off-shore wind farms
13th January 2010
The construction of the world's 2nd largest off-shore wind farm off the North Suffolk and Norfolk coast provides a great opportunity to create new jobs in Lowestoft.
This opportunity will only be fully realised if the electricity network infrastructure is upgraded. The Conservatives are committed to carrying out this work.
Two issues need to be addressed - the lack of cheap and easy access to the electricity grid and the problems associated with variable wind speeds that mean the production of electricity from offshore wind cannot be guaranteed at any precise time. These constraints can be tackled through the development of new types of electricity network, such as under-sea Direct Current [DC] cables.
There is also a need to reduce the requirement for large amounts of "back-up" capacity from fossil-fuel power stations. The Conservatives will therefore mandate the National Grid to develop and operate a "smart grid". Such a grid would make use of technology to allow customers to save money by using low cost tariffs for electricity used at times when demands on the grid are lowest and supply is most abundant.
Infrastructure deficiencies in the form of poor roads and railways have put a brake on Lowestoft's economy for too long. It is vital that this new industry is not held back by a similar lack of investment.
Peter Aldous
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney
Wissett
Halesworth
Suffolk, IP19 0RA
