Lincolnshire Against Needless Destruction (LAND), a newly established campaign group, has questioned Ed Miliband, Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, over his claims concerning the extent of agricultural land to be consumed by solar farms. Miliband has consistently asserted that less than one per cent of UK agricultural land will be occupied by solar energy generation by 2035. LAND, however, contends that Lincolnshire will be unduly impacted. Their analysis, based on information released by the National Grid, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), and private energy operators, estimates that 5.5% of the county’s agricultural land will be given over to solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS). LAND’s Chair, Cat Makinson, alleges that such an extensive use of agricultural land will lead to increased costs in importing food that could otherwise be grown locally. LAND also suggests that the surplus energy generated by the Great Grid Upgrade proposals for Lincolnshire cannot currently be stored effectively. The group has repeatedly asked Mr Miliband to clarify the total farmland usage for all of the Great Grid Upgrade, associated infrastructure and other energy developments, but these requests have so far gone unanswered. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) maintains that solar is at the heart of the Government’s mission to establish Britain as a clean energy superpower, adding that all projects undergo a rigorous planning process which considers local community interests and environmental impact. The National Farmers Union (NFU) President, Tom Bradshaw, has voiced that solar projects often provide a beneficial diversification option for farmers.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
