I’ve been at the forefront of the campaign to find alternatives to the Norwich to Tilbury Pylon proposals and explore an ‘off-shore grid’ since 2021. Since 2018, I’ve held the responsibility for responding to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in Suffolk. I know how to apply pressure to the likes of National Grid and how to change schemes like these new pylons. At my instigation, through my role at Suffolk County Council, we have recently seen two key reviews. The first of these is the Hiorns Review, commissioned jointly with Essex and Norfolk County Councils, which clearly sets out that the energy projects on which the need for Norwich to Tilbury is predicated will not be delivered on schedule. Therefore, Norwich to Tilbury is unlikely to be required until 2035, rather than 2030. This gives us time to look properly at the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) alternatives set out in the recent National Grid ESO review. This presents both on-shore and off-shore HVDC alternatives which, when looked at in tandem with the Hiorns Review, could be delivered in time and replace the pylons proposals.
In addition, with Norfolk County Council, I have ensured a proper landscape study was conducted into the special qualities of the Waveney Valley. Pressure like this has now seen proposals from National Grid to ‘underground’ through the Waveney Valley. This is a small victory and you can read more of my comments and about the special qualities of the Waveney Valley here. However, we must go further. We must pause the proposals for the Norwich to Tilbury Pylons and properly explore the HVDC alternatives. My experience dealing with this sort of scheme is second to none and I will not give up the fight to deliver a better solution for Norfolk, Suffolk and our nation.
