Welcomed by energy companies, the PM claimed the investment could stop Britain’s energy prices being hit by events such as the Iran war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Andy Burnham has hailed a £12billion investment in wind farms as “great for billpayers” as he prepares to head to the Cop31 climate summit.
Construction is set to begin on the Norfolk-coast based wind farms early next year, which will then deliver power by 2030.
Welcomed by energy companies, the PM claimed the investment could stop Britain’s energy prices being hit by events such as the Iran war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He said: “This major investment in UK renewables is a vote of confidence for building in Britain. It is great news for billpayers because every turbine we put up is power under British control, not at the mercy of events on the other side of the world.
“With coastal communities from Scotland to East Anglia powering Britain’s future, the places that host this energy benefit from the jobs and opportunities that it brings.
“Our National Wealth Fund means that public investment is working alongside private capital to build homegrown energy and bring a return for the taxpayer. Because, for me, a clean energy future is one that brings down bills.”
The PM will appear at PMQs today, before jetting off to Turkey to join other world leaders at the United Nations’ Cop31 summit, where he will deliver a speech on Thursday.
The financing includes £1 billion from the state-owned National Wealth Fund, and was described as a “vote of confidence” in homegrown energy by the Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
She said: “Investment in offshore wind and clean power is creating quality jobs and rebuilding industry, while delivering the clean power we need to lower bills and reach net zero.
“As the world gathers at COP31, Britain is leading from the front as a renewable energy powerhouse, turning the fight against climate change into a brighter future for British companies, industrial communities, and future generations.”
SSE Chief Executive Martin Pibworth said: “This is public-private partnership in action. Clear political direction, matched by businesses prepared to invest, is translating into real-world investment in British jobs, skills and manufacturing. From Hull, Newcastle and Manchester to Glasgow and Montrose, you can see what that means for communities across the country.