Energy firm Vattenfall host event at Necton community centre

Swedish energy giant Vattenfall has paused work on Norfolk Boreas - which was due to be built 50 miles off Happisburgh and connect to the National Grid via a new substation at Necton. 

But representatives from Vattenfall were at the village community centre on Friday to outline plans to forge ahead with its work in the area regardless.  

They spoke about the creation of a new A47 junction, as well as a new lane to the substation which should avoid the need for workers to drive through the village. 

Denise Hone, Vattenfall's community engagement manager, said: “The reason why we continuing with the onshore work is we need to have the infrastructure onboard to bring clean green energy to the grid.

Denise Hone, Senior Stakeholder and community engagement manager for Vattenfall (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“Vattenfall is still committed to Norfolk offshore wind zone and we lead with Vanguard, which will start producing power to the grid from 2028. 

“Consume prices will not come down unless we invest in new technology, as bring online sustainable energy options.”

The village hall meeting had been planned months ago, and not in response to last week's announcement about Boreas. 

George Freeman, MP for Mid-Norfolk (Image: Richard Townshend Photography)

George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, said at the meeting: “When counties like Norfolk and villages like Necton are hosting critical national infrastructure like the Vattenfall substations, the size of Wembley Stadium, I believe local communities should benefit from the disruption and the impact.

"The UK is widely regarded as a global leader in renewable energy conversion and I hope that Vattenfall will continue to invest in our renewable future - perhaps one way we can save them money is to move to an offshore ring main for connecting power to the grid in one or two key hubs rather than with mass pylon, cable and substation infrastructure all across Norfolk and Suffolk.”