Andy Burnham has described a £12bn investment in wind farms as "great for billpayers" ahead of his attendance at the Cop31 climate summit. Construction is expected to start on the Norfolk coast-based wind farms early next year, with power due to be delivered by 2030.
Investment hailed as protection against global events
The Prime Minister said the investment, welcomed by energy companies, could prevent Britain's energy prices from being affected by events such as the Iran war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He stated: "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."
He added: "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."
PM to address Cop31 summit
Burnham will appear at Prime Minister's Questions today before travelling to Turkey to join other world leaders at the United Nations' Cop31 summit, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech on Thursday.
The financing includes £1bn from the state-owned National Wealth Fund and was described as a "vote of confidence" in homegrown energy by 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."
She continued: "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."
Industry reaction
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."
