Nuclear, wind and solar power. Water networks. Alternative heating for terraced streets and industry. A host of new energy and utility projects are happening or planned across Lancashire.
And themes including cutting emissions, science and technology innovation, asset ownership, private business and community interests , jobs, contracts and local economies are among the talking-points.
Nuclear plants in Heysham will remain active
This week, it was announced that Heysham’s two existing nuclear power stations will keep generating electricity for longer than planned. Energy firm EDF and the UK government said this is to sustain electricity supplies as the nation moves away from burning fossil fuels, like gas, to cleaner technology and ‘net zero’ carbon emission targets for 2030.
Pic: Robbie MacDonald LDRS. Partner approved.
Pic: Robbie MacDonald LDRS. Partner approved.
EDF is part of the EDF Group, describing itself as the world’s largest electricity generator. It has over 170,000 employees and 40 million customers. Its full name is Électricité de France and it is owned by the French state. In the UK, EDF has developments including nuclear power stations at Heysham, wind-farms and battery storage sites.
Elsewhere in Lancashire, Rossendale is currently the focus of new £200 million plans to extend a wind turbine farm at Scout Moor. A firm linked to Canada including Canadian pension funds, Cubico Sustainable Investments, is behind the plan with more details to come.
Rossendale councillors have debated wind farms many times over the years with some claiming that previous opposition to a different Scout Moor extension plan in 2015 led to the borough missing-out on an estimated £26 million of potential income from land rents paid by turbine operators.
United Utilities is planning an aqueduct
Meanwhile in the north-west water industry, United Utilities, which has multiple global shareholders, is planning the huge new £1.75 billion Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) – a new water tunnel – from the Lake District through Lancashire to Manchester. A main contract announcement is due in 2025. HARP has been debated recently at Ribble Valley Council with questions about the potential impact of building works on local businesses. More details are to come.
Nationally, the new Labour government has inherited some major energy and utilities projects which began under previous governments. With nuclear energy, a number of old power stations have reached or passed their original lifespans but new replacements have been delayed. Furthermore, cracks found at one plant in Scotland prompted a safety review of all nuclear power stations and further investment.
New developments
New small and advanced modular nuclear reactors are being developed too. Small ones are similar to existing nuclear reactors but can be manufactured in multiples and transported to sites, rather than unique one-offs built on location. Advanced reactors use new cooling systems or fuels for new purposes, such as generating heat for industry, hydrogen or managing nuclear waste. The new government has ideas of its own too including Great British Energy, a publicly-owned company aimed at boosting clean energy projects.
In Lancashire, local renewable schemes are emerging too including in Lancaster and Rossendale.
Lancaster University has solar and wind farms, and is building a new Net Zero Energy Centre to heat buildings with alternative technology to gas boilers. Separately, Lancaster City Council recently gained planning permission for a solar farm. Elsewhere, Thrive Renewables has a wind farm at Caton.
Rossendale already has some wind turbines at Scout Moor, built from 2007 originally by the Peel Group. Now Cubico plans more turbines.
Rossendale is also home to Valley Energy, a community-owned group which has projects including developing new heating systems for terraced streets.
Valley Energy has already done some work in Bacup. Now it has submitted two planning applications to Rossendale Council to drill boreholes for ground source heating and underground pipes in Rawtenstall and Stacksteads. The council’s development committee will consider those on December 10.
Nuclear power
Regarding Heysham and nuclear power’s role in the energy mix, Lord Hunt, a government minister, visited its two power stations on Wednesday and announced the new extended lifespans. The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to him and Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge there.
Lord Hunt said:
From the government’s point of view, we are seeing some massive investments in renewable energy schemes across the UK such as offshore developments, carbon capture and solar energy. We have got a huge programme ahead with great opportunities for the UK supply chain.
International investment is part of the current arrangements, so we are importing some elements. That’s how things are. But there is a big, big place for localities too in the government’s work.
There will be many economic benefits ahead. Activity at Sizewell will see 70 per cent of contracting value going to the UK. The Rolls Royce group has an important presence in the British nuclear industry .There are a lot of good stories about British supply chains and jobs, We will also need 40,000 more people in the UK nuclear industry by 2030, both defence and civil sectors.
“here are great opportunities here at Heysham power station, and it plays a major role in the local economy with suppliers and the workforce. There are good opportunities for young people too and apprentices. Young people can join a four-year programme, including time spent at a college in Bridgewater and time working here in Heysham.
Also, the Great British Energy bill is working its way through parliament and part of that will look to encourage local energy plans that work really well in their areas. We do believe in local energy and I know local authorities will respond.
National mixed with local
Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge said local energy schemes guided by local communities can be developed alongside large national projects, such as nuclear power. A renewables system at Salt Ayre leisure centre in Lancaster, rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems were examples. Also energy efficiency improvements to local buildings and homes.
She said:
There have been some wonderful strides forward in technology like battery storage. And it’s really important that we keep innovating. But ultimately if we want to get off our reliance on gas, nuclear power has to be part of the mix.. Also, nuclear energy can now be generated in smaller spaces than traditional big power stations. So the impact on land and construction requirements are much smaller.
There are huge opportunities for Heysham and the wider Lancaster district to become a hub of activity in changing to a low carbon future. I’m agnostic about technologies and companies. I think people see the value of mixed technology.
Almost everybody agrees the climate situation is happening and we need to change. I understand people don’t like pylons built in their area. But we need to use this new technology. Our beautiful countryside won’t be beautiful if we don’t get to grips with the climate crisis.
