Dorset Council urges Crown Estate and NESO to back £28bn clean energy vision
Dorset could soon become a national hub for clean energy, thanks to bold new proposals backed by the council leader
Dorset Council’s leader has backed bold plans to make the county a national hub for renewable energy.
In letters sent this week, Cllr Nick Ireland urged The Crown Estate and National Energy System Operator (NESO) to support a sweeping plan that could unlock up to £28 billion in investment and help establish the UK as a renewable energy superpower.
Cllr Ireland reaffirmed Dorset’s commitment to clean energy, highlighting the region’s natural and industrial assets as critical to achieving the government’s climate and energy targets.
With its deep-water port at Portland, unique geological features, and a legacy of energy production at Wytch Farm and Winfrith, Dorset is described as an ideal location for emerging technologies including offshore wind, carbon capture, and green hydrogen.
“These projects will generate ripple effects: creating jobs, training opportunities, and further investment,” Cllr Ireland said.
He added: “Offshore wind in the English Channel will be the catalyst for the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster and it will attract manufacturing and investment on Portland.”
Ireland stressed the urgency of enhancing the nation’s energy resilience, arguing that Dorset is uniquely equipped to deliver fast, scalable solutions.
The call to action signals a growing push from local authorities to play a central role in shaping the UK’s green energy future - if the political and regulatory support follows.