Miliband is planning a shake-up to overcome local opposition to the wind farm push
Ed Miliband, the Secretary of Energy, is ready to rewrite the planning laws of Britain to clear the way for a large increase in wind and solar energy, effectively reducing local energy to prevent or change green energy projects.
Under the proposed changes, wind turbines and small-scale solar farms would be classified as “nationally important infrastructure projects” (NSIPs), giving them the same priority status as airports and large power plants.
As part of Labour’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, any wind farm over 100 megawatts (MW) in capacity—the equivalent of 15-20 turbines—could come under national control. The change will give unelected planning inspectors, rather than local communities and councils, the final say on whether projects go ahead. Solar developments that meet these criteria will also follow the same rules, potentially ending the era of local rate control over large-scale renewable energy projects.
The government expects the reforms to unlock around £40 billion of private sector investment every year until 2030, as Britain aims to decentralize its energy grid and reduce dependence on imported gas. However, the announcement, published on Friday, made no mention of Miliband’s pre-election pledge to reduce household debt by £300 a year, instead focusing on long-term cost stability and energy security.
With fast-track approval, Labor hopes to double offshore wind capacity from 15 gigawatts (GW) to around 30GW by 2030, which would mean up to 3,000 new turbines, including models up to 800 feet tall. Solar capacity is also set to more than triple, from 15GW to around 50GW, potentially covering around 500 square kilometers of the panel farm.
Miliband argued that the changes are essential if the UK is to achieve fully renewable energy by 2030, saying: “A new era of clean energy offers a bright future for Britain, with energy security, lower debt over time, and good jobs. “
Critics warn that the move deprives communities of their right to protest, and they are likely to protest more if the Government moves forward with measures to reduce legal challenges. The plan suggests ending the “bite of the cherry” for Supreme Court review, limiting the number of times a project can be challenged once approved.
Regional green energy targets are also expected, requiring each region to host a set number of wind and solar farms. Such plans are already sparking local discontent: in Cornwall, farmers recently protested against a major solar project, and opposition may intensify as the laws come into effect.
Renewable energy developers, especially those responsible for meeting the clean energy deadline, will invest billions to make these ambitions a reality. Although some savings in the long run may be realized, a large portion of the initial cost may be covered by the customer’s energy bills.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, accused Miliband of breaking his promise to reduce consumer debt by £300 and warned that the rush to the 2030 deadline could drive up prices. “We need cheap, reliable energy and it must put quality of life first,” he said.
The announcement comes as recent calm and cloudy weather—described as the “dunkelflaute”—has forced Britain’s grid to rely heavily on electricity, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring reliability amid a rapid roll-out of renewables.
