Burnham hails approval for two huge windfarm projects as ‘power under British control’ – UK politics live

Announcement comes ahead of visit to Cop31 climate conference with PM also set to face MPs at PMQs

The CBI has issued a statement welcoming the PM’s offshore wind announcement. (See 8.55am.) This is from its chief executive, Rain Newton-Smith.

The prime minister’s announcement of major investment in offshore wind is a powerful restatement of the UK’s clean energy ambitions and the economic opportunities they can unlock. Investment on this scale can attract further private capital, create skilled jobs and support growth in communities across the country.

Energy company RWE, together with global investment firm KKR, have announced a total investment of £12bn, believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date. It will give the green light to its Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms, set to be operational by 2030 and delivering clean, secure, homegrown power to homes and businesses that will protect families from global fossil fuel price shocks …

On top of bolstering the UK’s green energy future, the investment will support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation, and once operational, the wind farms will have the capacity to supply the equivalent of around three million UK homes …

On top of this, Scottish-headquartered SSE has announced that the latest phase of its major offshore wind farm, Berwick Bank B, will back 2,677 skilled jobs in manufacturing, engineering and project delivery across the north of England and Scotland, with the company contracting Siemens Energy for the manufacturing of wind turbines and substation platforms. This includes the creation of 130 new project delivery roles in Glasgow and Montrose.

At its full capacity, Berwick Bank, off the east coast of Scotland, could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, capable of meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand.

This major investment in UK renewables is a vote of confidence for building in Britain. And 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.