Why Is Our MP, Kevin Hollinrake Avoiding The Answers To Our Five Burning Questions?

Sadly, as often is the case, the responses we received from our MP Kevin Hollinrake regarding the government’s flawed renewable energy strategy – were less than adequate. Their failure to support renewables is not only negatively impacting both land occupier and solar developer – it is also forcing a continued dependence on expensive, finite energy resources, such as gas and oil.

Despite their need to reinstate a sense of trust with the British public, the lack of ability to give a straight answer to a simple question, seems to be commonplace for the conservative party. Whilst the Sturdy family are fighting for survival on their family farm, the government’s track record for meeting next year’s target for 20GW of solar energy production is shameful, forcing large scale proposals at the expense of our prime agricultural land; and making it near enough impossible for solar developers to do what’s needed.

With only 5GW out of the current 14GW of capacity coming from rooftops – you would wonder why there isn’t more encouragement for installations on buildings – or indeed brownfield sites, rather than using productive farmland? Sadly it all comes down to the inadequate grid infrastructure and government investment, which is forcing proposals like this.

With the next target being to produce 70GW of solar power by 2035 – a 5 fold increase to be achieved in just 12 years – the pressure has never been greater to put in place improved measures.

What was therefore most alarming from Kevin’s reply, was the continuous use of either future or conditional tense, so stating things that ‘will’ take place or ‘could’ make a difference. Despite woeful progress over the past 10 years, there is STILL no confirmed commitment being offered for how this failing trend will be reversed – or how farmer and solar developer will be able to co-exist in harmony, sustaining a greener future alongside the need for local, high quality food production.

We have asked for clarity from Kevin on his responses:

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Q1 to Kevin) How can you genuinely oppose a solar proposal such as the one at Old Malton, when this is the outcome of your government’s failure to legislate and incentivise solar installations in the right places?   

Kevin Responded: “I have been consistent in what I have said on this issue. We need to protect the best and most versatile land for agricultural purposes; this is to ensure that farmers are not driven off of their farms. I support solar farms where it is appropriate to do so, such as on brownfield sites. I do not believe the site at Old Malton is a suitable place for a solar farm, as I have previously expressed.“

Clarification Needed:

You encouraged Harmony Energy to take this route of solar farm development, so if Old Malton isn’t suitable, where is? You support brownfield sites, but are there any viable brownfield sites in Ryedale due to the limitations of the poor grid infrastructure. Could you therefore confirm:

• If you are saying Old Malton is not suitable, where would be a suitable alternative site, which would generate the same quantity of solar energy and service the same number of homes in the Ryedale district?
• Which solar applications have you supported in our area and how much solar power do they generate?
• Where are the available brownfield sites you refer to as being appropriate?

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Q2 to Kevin) Bearing in mind the conservative government is spending circa £100 billion on HS2, please let us know how much and when will the government be investing in the national grid infrastructure, to ensure that future solar targets can be met without further jeopardising the British farming industry? 

Kevin Responded: “This will come from the Future System Operator, which will look at the Great Britain’s energy system as a whole, integrating existing networks with emerging technologies. The Future System Operator will be a new public body that will absorb the existing capabilities of the Electricity System Operator, and, where appropriate, National Grid Gas.… It will also provide strategic oversight of the UK gas system by taking on longer-term planning in respect of gas.“

Clarification Needed:

• The question hasn’t been answered – in terms of what budget has been assigned to improving the grid infrastructure? Or when will this work be started, completed and what are the quantifiable commitments in terms of upgrading existing grid capacity?  
• You say the FSO “will” be a new public body – when will this come in to force – and what are their targets?
• In particular, what improvements are planned for the grid in the Malton and Thirsk constituency / North Yorkshire?

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Q3) In light of their torment, please confirm when will you propose a revised policy for implementing a realistic and truly beneficial solar energy plan – one which clearly outlines the parameters for viable applications, and rewards solar proposals in the right places – such as the untouched rooftops of our commercial properties and new homes, or low-grade land & brownfield sites available in the UK?

Kevin Responded: “…As part of the new Energy Security Strategy, ministers are looking to increase the UK’s current 14GW of solar capacity, which could grow up to five times by 2035. To support solar deployment, the Government is consulting on the rules for solar projects. …The Government also plans to review permitted development rights to make it easier for rooftop solar to be deployed on households, as well as public and commercial buildings.… The Government is also extending the VAT relief available for the installation of energy saving materials. This relief is being increased further by introducing a time-limited zero rate for the installation of these materials. More specifically, the Government supported over 830,000 small solar projects through the Feed-in Tariff between 2010 and 2019.”

Clarification Needed:

• Can you confirm the existing parameters set out by the government for solar farm development and how these prevent applications / protect prime agricultural land and farmers?
• When/How will the government incentivise and legislate for solar installations to take place on the rooftops of suitable buildings – domestic / commercial warehouses / schools / hospitals etc ?

The other things you mention are not relevant to the Sturdy’s situation, many are vague as to when they will offer a tangible benefit – please confirm:

• You say UK’s current 14GW of solar capacity “could” grow up to five times by 2035. This offers no commitment – how will the current government increase solar PV capacity to 70GW by 2035 – that is +56GW in 12 years?
• When will the time-limited zero rate for the installation of energy saving materials start/finish? Who is eligible to claim this?
• When will the consultations on the rules for solar proposals take place and what changes do you expect to see?
• When are you planning to have the review of permitted development rights completed so solar installations are passed more quickly and how will it make the process easier?
• You say the government supported 830,000 homes between 2010-2019 with small solar projects – how many homes have they helped in the most recent 4 years and what is the target for/ how will they help homes in the coming 5+ years? The climate crisis is not over, in fact it has barely begun.

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Q4 to Kevin) In support of the rooftop solar campaign, I ask, why businesses (like my own) which are willing to help you achieve the solar targets you have set, are not incentivised, supported or rewarded financially for doing so?

Kevin Responded: “The Government is committed to widespread deployment of rooftop solar and will be setting up a taskforce to help deliver this ambition. We have introduced a permitted development right in 2015 to encourage the take-up of solar panels on non-domestic buildings. Compared to previous rights, this provides for a 20-fold increase in the amount of solar technology that can go onto the roofs of commercial buildings without the need to submit a full planning application.”

Clarification Needed:

• Why does your government penalise businesses by increasing business rates for organisations who have personally invested in placing solar panels on their rooftops and are helping to achieve essential climate goals?
• Why are all new commercial properties not required and incentivised financially to install solar panels on their rooftops, thus reducing the amount of land that will be used? Will this ever be something that the government will introduce, if so by when?
• Can you confirm when the taskforce will be set up and what tangible results it will achieve?
• If the permitted development right was introduced in 2015  to encourage solar installations on non-domestic buildings, why is only 5GW of solar energy produced from rooftops in the UK? How can this be enough. Compared with other European countries this statistic is embarrassing.

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Q5 for Kevin) My final question is on behalf of local businesses. When are you going to regulate the energy market so that prices are capped and incentives exist for businesses to invest in solar panels – allowing them to reduce their energy bills, whilst also working towards the climate goals that your government has promised?

Kevin Responded: “Insofar as incentivising businesses to place solar panels on their property, I believe the business case for a reduction in energy bills provides that incentive.”

Clarification Needed:

Again the question has not been answered – businesses need to know:

• When will the energy market be regulated so that prices are capped and businesses can expect fair and predictable costs? This was highlighted on the BBC news only this week.
• A solar installation requires a large capital outlay before seeing any benefits from costs in energy reduction – why do you not offer businesses financial support to assist with this expense?

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We look forward to getting the answers we need and understanding exactly how the government is working to support net zero targets through renewable development, without jeopardising Britain’s agricultural heritage.