Renewable Energy Projects: Community Benefits — [Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]

Questions whether any commercial benefits such as a visitor centre from the Rampion wind farm should reside in the constituency most impacted by it.

Discussed high levels of fuel poverty in Orkney and Shetland, advocating for community benefit from renewable energy projects. Highlighted the disconnect between energy generation and financial support.

Asks if the hon. Member agrees that undergrounding cables would be the best community benefit for Caerfyrddin and its rural communities, instead of having pylon lines.

Welcomes the Government's work on founding publicly owned GB Energy and suggests that community benefits should extend to associated infrastructure like battery storage.

The speaker highlighted the reality of energy infrastructure projects in his constituency, stressing residents' desire for compensation rather than hosting benefits. He noted the lack of regulatory framework for ensuring fair compensation and local input in project development.

Miller discussed a proposed 840 MW solar plant in his constituency, arguing that it offers an insufficient benefit fund of £59.50 per megawatt compared to the recommended £5,000 per megawatt under the community benefits protocol. He urged the government to establish a framework for renewables that prioritizes meaningful community engagement and sustained benefits.

Remarks on the range of solar schemes in her constituency with differing levels of community benefits from £20,000 to £30,000 per year over 25 years.

Visits Awel Aman Tawe, a community energy charity in his constituency that uses revenue from turbines for regeneration and asks if this model is preferable to other projects with bureaucratic obstacles.

Argues for community benefit and compensation being important not just for the communities affected but also for the smoother granting of planning permission with fewer objections.

High energy prices impact communities in northern Scotland significantly. The removal of transmission charges would be beneficial for investment in renewable projects and reduce costs for local residents.

He expressed concern about the lack of community benefits from renewable energy projects in his constituency, highlighting the severe winter conditions and high electricity costs faced by residents. He also mentioned the issue of affordable housing, which is critical for retaining young people in rural communities. Jamie Stone questioned why SSE proposed to underground cables in one part of the Highlands but not in others, suggesting inconsistency in their approach.

Suggests looking at contracts for difference, licences, and leases with the Crown Estate to embed social value on a large scale in projects such as floating offshore wind.

Jim Shannon discussed the potential for shared ownership options in renewable energy projects in Northern Ireland. He highlighted that community benefit packages are provided on a voluntary basis and noted the challenge of marrying reserved and devolved matters to expedite projects. Infrastructure is a reserved matter, but in Northern Ireland it is a planning matter that falls under devolved powers. The speaker asked for clarification on how these two aspects combine and interact.

The speaker discussed the proliferation of wind turbines in his constituency, advocating for greater community benefits from renewable projects. He also highlighted the need for more local manufacturing jobs and expressed concern over government disregard for local opposition to large-scale developments.

Supported community-owned energy projects as a Labour party value, emphasizing their role in delivering benefits to local communities. Praised GB Energy's commitment to clean energy investment.

Points out that the current electricity standing charges are unfair, with households in north Wales and Merseyside paying £100 more annually than those in London.

In Ynys Môn, a proposed large solar development will cover 3,700 acres and have negative impacts on the local economy. The community benefits often offered are insufficient compensation for economic and social costs. Developers should not be allowed to change their offers at whim. Community-owned renewable projects could provide more benefits without compromising the landscape.

The MP highlighted concerns about the industrialisation of rural landscapes due to renewable energy projects and criticised the new Government for removing key protections from the national planning policy framework. He also noted the lack of community benefits and the impact on local communities, advocating for a balanced approach that considers innovative technologies like underground power lines.

Olly Glover highlighted the importance of engaging communities in renewable energy projects to combat climate change. He proposed a 5% levy on gross revenue from such schemes for community benefits, including youth service provision, road improvements, contributions towards new railway stations, healthcare opportunities, and home insulation projects.

Ms. Heylings submitted an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to allow it to consider community benefits, supporting her colleague's proposal.

Emphasised the need for an industrial revolution based on renewable energy, highlighting the importance of community ownership and addressing fuel poverty. Called for a green tariff in the context of energy market reform.

Priti Patel expressed concerns about the lack of dialogue regarding community benefits in National Grid's pylon development scheme for her constituency. She requested more information from the Minister on tunnelling as a cheaper option and asked when there would be discussions with Essex MPs to provide assurance to constituents.

Roz Savage expressed concern over the negative community response to an excessively large solar farm in her constituency, highlighting issues with foreign ownership and inadequate local benefits. She emphasised the importance of involving communities and ensuring that local energy suppliers work with community schemes to sell power at discounted rates.

Congratulates the Government's aspiration to increase renewable energy infrastructure in Somerset but expresses concern over communities not receiving benefits from hosting solar installations. Highlights that developers are currently responsible for offering tangible benefits, leading to tensions within communities.

Logan highlighted the environmental impact of renewable energy projects on his constituency, emphasizing the need for early engagement with communities. He proposed that 5% of revenue from newly consented renewable energy should be directed to community benefit funds and noted significant investment disparities between Scotland and other parts of the UK. Seamus Logan inquired whether Roz Savage was aware of the National Farmers Union of Scotland's acceptance of arguments for pylons over underground cabling.

Congratulates the hon. Friend on securing the debate, highlighting that nearly all farmers in Westmorland have water flowing through their fields which could be used for hydroelectricity to provide cross-subsidisation for farming while creating renewable energy.

Commends the Great British Energy Act for its potential to transform communities and supports community-owned wind farms, highlighting that these schemes bring significant financial benefits and support local initiatives such as warm home grants and native tree planting. Stresses the need for grid access and funding for expansion. Torcuil Crichton intervened to suggest that community ownership of land could lead to greater benefits, drawing a comparison with areas like Dumfries and Galloway where communities own turbines.