Multi-million-pound plans for a new cross-Solent power cable to accelerate key low carbon projects and help deliver net zero was discussed when the government’s energy chief visited the Isle of Wight recently.
Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, met with senior officials from the Isle of Wight Council and network operator SSEN following an invite by council leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, at last year’s Islands Forum in Orkney.
She was keen for the head of the UK’s energy watchdog to find out more about energy cable capacity issues which threaten to hamper efforts to grow the Island’s renewable energy production — and possible solutions being developed by SSEN in close coordination with the council and local bodies.
This could include major investment by SSEN in a new energy cable between the Island and the mainland to boost capacity for renewable energy and storage projects and for the expected new demands from electric vehicles and heat pumps.
Mr Brearley outlined the work that would need to be done before the grid investment could be approved and recognised the grid constraints experienced by the Island would also be felt by many other areas as the energy system is transformed. However, he added the Island would make an excellent test bed for some of the proposed solutions.
In a letter of thanks to the council following his visit, Mr Brearley said:
“I hugely enjoyed my trip to the Isle of Wight, and it was great to hear about your proposals to meet the Island’s net zero target.
“I agree that the Island is a really exciting opportunity to pilot projects as we look for innovative solutions to the UK’s energy transition.
Article continues below this advertisement “I am very supportive of the ongoing work to examine these projects more closely.”
As part of a tour organised by SSEN, Mr Brearley visited Homestead Solar Farm, owned by Wight Community Energy, Cowes Power Station, owned by RWE, and a major substation owned and operated by SSEN.
The council has a vision for the Island of being a centre of excellence for renewable energy.
Councillor Peacey-Wilcox said:
“We are serious about achieving the ambitious net zero targets outlined in our Mission Zero Climate and Environment Strategy and to sustaining the Biosphere.
“Significant network investment will be required to achieve this and it was good to hear that SSEN is keen to make that investment to support the Island. I think Mr Brearley took away the fact that there is a strong pipeline of local projects and a community keen to be involved in the transformation.
“I wish to thank him for taking the time to visit the Island.”
Patrick Erwin, commercial director, SSEN Distribution, said: “We have a shared vison of the electricity network accelerating local net zero ambitions and driving the local economy and prosperity.
“This visit was a fantastic opportunity to share our plans for strategic network investment on the Island, which are the result of close co-ordination with both Isle of Wight Council and community representatives.
“Investment in the network on the Island will be a key step in helping to meet the net zero vision for the Isle of Wight. Following the positive response from Ofgem, we look forward to further co-development of these plans and securing the regulatory approval to proceed.”
A quick lesson in green energy physics. Wind, solar, sea, etc, are low energy density sources. Coal, oil and gas are high energy density sources. You need vast amounts of wind – when the wind is blowing – to equal the energy per mass in coal, gas and oil. Moreover the energy consumed in extracting coal, oil and gas is small compared with the energy consumed in the manufacture of sophisticated windmills and solar panels, both of which sources have limited operational lives after which they must be replaced. The shelf lives of coal mines and oil rigs is substantially longer. The upshot is that so-called renewable energy is a net consumer of energy while fossil fuels are net surplus producers.
Yeah.
All complete gibberish, but carry of if it makes you happy.
Unresponsive. You present no argument, no case.
Fair enough, but the issue is about liberating carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, not the net energy used. Using energy is not a problem. Changing the atmosphere is. I do doubt that those discussing and promoting ‘net zero’ have any basic understanding of the greenhouse effect and what influences it.
96% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is naturally produced. Nature will hardly notice the 4% due to man. Nature will simply adjust feedback mechanisms/forcings to deal, if necessary, with the fractional increase. Natural CO2 is greatly variable over seasons, decades and epochs.. A natural reduction at any time could well exceed by a long way any increase due to man. The ‘tipping point’ hypothesis is a myth. It all goes into the general mix with man’s contribution, as I have said, hardly noticeable.
I fear you are wasting your time explaining the scientific facts of life to people who either can’t or won’t even try to understand them, Paul. Sad, but history is full of examples of close-minded people who go for fad or fashionable ideas rather than bother with the facts.
All part of the money makeing con of NetZero..
The forth Reich net zero
There will never be a Net Zero. Defies the laws of thermodynamics.
Come back when you can demonstrate that you know what you are talking about.
If this council is involved, prepare for huge bills and power cuts.
Net Zero, the product of net zero brains.
Pity they can’t find a way of making energy cheaper.
What experts in this category exist within County Hall .. answer Net Zero .. so it’s doomed before the jolly trips expenses have been reimbursed..
Plenty of hot air coming from these 3 mouths, and of course it is renewable as well, a win win for this rubbish council, but not for us. Higher bills and and even more brown envelopes being dished out.
The only thing Green about the Island is the Landscape