Offshore wind and the positive contribution East Anglia can make to the UK government’s net zero ambitions were the main topics of discussion when Iberdrola Renewables’ offshore managing director Jonathan Cole met with three of the region’s coastal MPs recently.
Cole (pictured) met Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, on 26 March, following meetings over the previous week with Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, and Brandon Lewis, who is MP for Great Yarmouth.
He said: “We very much welcomed the opportunity to meet with the MPs and discuss our offshore wind projects in East Anglia – totalling £9bn of investment – and the positive contribution they can make to the local economy, while supporting the Government’s ambition for 40GW of offshore wind by 2030.
“We discussed the opportunities that will be open to the region as a major centre for offshore wind on the back of the success for the Freeport East bid, in which the MPs played such a key role.
“Our congratulations to them for this very positive outcome, which will create a long and lasting legacy for local people and communities.
“The meetings were also a useful opportunity to clarify our position on recent developments in the planning process for our East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two wind farms.
“We know how important the proposed wind farms are to the local area and would be pleased to welcome any of the local MPs for a visit to view the onshore infrastructure already in place for East Anglia One.
“We take real pride in being a responsible wind farm developer and a good neighbour and informed discussion and engagement with local representatives is a key part of that.
“We look forward to continuing dialogue in the coming weeks and months and thank Peter, Brandon and Therese for their time.”