Miliband unveils energy plan with new powers over wind farms

Miliband is expected to say the government wants to bring large onshore wind projects back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime in England.

Labour’s plans would mean the government would have the final say on approving wind farm projects larger than 100MW, rather than councils.

“The era of clean electricity is about harnessing the power of Britain’s natural resources,” Miliband said.

But Coutinho said Labour’s “rush” to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would push up electricity prices and cause more hardship for people across Britain.

“We need cheap, reliable energy – not even higher bills,” she said.

Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of clean energy. But there has been a 94% decline in projects in England since 2015 when the previous Conservative government tightened planning regulations for wind farms – following pushback from local communities.

Subsequently, only a small number of local objections could effectively block new projects.

Following Labour’s general election victory, planning rules for onshore wind were eased in September 2023. But renewable energy groups said they did not go far enough.

The government is expected to say that the public will still be consulted on new wind farms, but the secretary of state will be empowered to take any final decision -taking into account national priorities such as tackling climate change.

The government maintains any project will need to have “direct community benefits” and proposes to establish a recovery fund to invest in nature projects as compensation for any environmental damage.

“A new era of clean electricity for our country offers a positive vision of Britain’s future with energy security, lower bills, good jobs and climate action,” Miliband is expected to say.