June 26, 2013
England

MP vows to fight on after developer chooses substation site

Boston Standard | 26 June 2013 | www.bostonstandard.co.uk

The decision to try to connect a wind farm to the National Grid at Bicker Fen ‘flies in the face of public opinion’ according to MP Mark Simmonds.

RWE nPower Renewables chose its preferred location for an onshore substation which will be to the ‘north west of Bicker and west of Swineshead’. The station will connect ‘Triton Knoll’ offshore wind turbines.

The firm also announced it will build an alternative construction road to avoid the village of Bicker.

The plans follow a series of public consultation events taking place across a total of seven ‘zones’ between February and April this year.

Project manager Jacob Hain said local people’s views and knowledge helped shape the decision.

He said: “The preferred locations were selected by balancing environmental, technical, economic and engineering considerations alongside the key issues identified by local residents.

“Not only did local knowledge carry more weight in the evaluation, it has crucially influenced the design of the electrical system.”

Mr Simmonds, MP for Boston and Skegness, said: “I have consistently opposed proposals for inappropriate infrastructure, connected with off shore wind, in my constituency and will continue to do so.

“These proposals are universally opposed by myself, the county council, the respective district councils and local communities.

“Given this, it would seem to totally fly in the face of public opinion.

“I will be writing to Mr Hain of Rwe and the Secretary of State to reiterate the opposition to these proposals.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/26/mp-vows-to-fight-on-after-developer-chooses-substation-site/