The Waveney constituency and across East Anglia much is being achieved through harnessing natural resources. Parts of one of the largest clusters of offshore wind farms in the world are either in operation, being built, or being planned. 4GW of power is already operational off the East Anglian coast, accounting for over 50% of the UK’s installed capacity.
This success is being mirrored in energy hot spots around the UK and, with potential developments in the pipeline, we will be able to provide much of the Government’s newly revised higher target of 40GW by 2030 and subsequently 75GW by 2050.
The Government must work collaboratively with local communities and industry when developing the regulatory framework to ensure that industry is not disadvantaged.
There are a number of opportunities for the oil & gas sector as the UK transforms to net zero carbon emissions. The sector has an ongoing role in providing energy security and it clearly reduces carbon footprint to use UK oil and gas rather than imports. The industry can act as a bridge to a low-carbon future, promoting the use of gas, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. There are transferable skills to the offshore renewables sector and, finally, the large amount of work in the decommissioning of oil and gas assets in the North Sea.
Nuclear energy also has an important part to play in providing long-term low-carbon energy security and it is important we press ahead with projects such as Sizewell C in Suffolk.
Finally, with the UK having 50% of Europe’s tidal energy and 35% of its wave energy, the UK is in pole position to be the world leader in this sector, which could contribute to the UK’s future energy mix, further improving self-sufficiency. We should support these emerging technologies to bring down their costs, and consider funding arrangements to support them in their early stages, as we did with solar and wind.
Peter Aldous is working with Power for People and sponsoring the Local Electricity Bill to deliver more clean, local energy that benefits local communities.
Peter Aldous backs the Energy Bill which will play a key role in delivering reasonably priced electricity, enhancing energy security and meeting the challenge of climate change, but urges the Government to back Lords amendments that would require Ofgem have a duty to consider net zero and help communities deliver community energy schemes.
Peter Aldous calls on the Government to develop a comprehensive fiscal strategy for the autumn statement, including tax incentives, the reform of capital allowances and other measures to maximise private investment in renewables which is vital to bringing new jobs to coastal communities such as Lowestoft.
Peter Aldous welcomes the Government’s plans for powering up Britain and the focus on energy security, cost and decarbonisation, and calls on the Government to also concentrate on job creation by developing a skills strategy and an infrastructure investment plan which includes ports such as Lowestoft.
Speaking in a debate on legislation designed to ensure that benefits from the alternative fuel payment are passed through to consumers, Peter Aldous raises concerns that the penalty for landlords who do not pass on the benefit is too lenient to be a deterrent.
Peter Aldous calls on the Government to use the forthcoming Budget to introduce new tax incentives and to reform capital allowances to ensure that the UK remains an attractive place to invest in offshore wind.
Peter Aldous highlights the success of offshore wind over the past decade and calls for an urgent review of the regulatory and policy frameworks to ensure the UK industry can maintain its premier position.
Peter Aldous highlights the job-creation opportunities on the north East Anglian coast in technologies such as offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and asks the Government what is being done to attract private sector investment in these exciting emerging sectors.
Peter Aldous spoke in a debate on concerns about electricity transmission infrastructure. He called on National Grid to work with affected communities to mitigate the impact so we can press ahead with the roll-out of offshore wind which is vital for the UK's zero carbon energy ambitions and will bring much-needed well paid jobs to this area.
Peter Aldous welcomes ScottishPower Renewables success in the Contract for Difference auction for its East Anglia Three offshore wind project, and asks about future CfD auctions which will allow more offshore wind development and bring more jobs to coastal communities such as those in Waveney.