A government plan to increase the use of onshore wind and solar energy has sparked controversy, with concerns that the rapid expansion of energy projects will lead to the “industrialization of the countryside”. The plan aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels, but critics argue that the growth of solar parks will require massive expansion of pylons and overhead lines to connect them to the grid. This has raised concerns in rural communities, such as Lincolnshire, where local opposition to the solar industry is likely to escalate. The 7000 Acres Group, a solar protest group, states that they are fighting to protect the countryside from “mass industrialization”.
Local officials, such as Councillor Richard Davies, have expressed concerns that the government has not listened to the concerns of residents. He points out that the addition of two more giant solar farms in Lincolnshire’s countryside, which have strong local opposition, suggests that the government is not taking into account the views of the local community. The rapid pace of the energy transition is seen as a risk, not an opportunity. The government’s plan is to increase the use of onshore wind and solar energy, but the rapid expansion of energy projects will require a massive expansion of pylons and overhead lines, which could lead to the “industrialization of the countryside”.