Tories accused of betraying campaign in net zero revolution Business

Nestled at the western edge of Devon, the pretty but obscure village of Pyworthy has made a name for itself.

For years its most notable feature was a 13th century church. Today, however, he is at the forefront of Britain’s energy revolution in a battle to build several gigantic solar farms.

The Derril Water development – which spans 28 fields or 164 acres – is fiercely opposed by villagers and campaign activists who support it and others nearby are ruining the landscape and degrading farmland. Among them is John Nettles, the star of Midsomer Murders, whose farm borders the solar farm.

“In recent years, Pyworthy has supported its fair share of solar installations, but this latest would be the largest yet,” the 78-year-old says in a campaign video on YouTube. “Local residents feel enough is enough.”

It’s a conflict that will recur through the hearts of England’s Tories as Boris Johnson pushes ahead with an ambitious plan to overhaul Britain’s energy system and rid the electricity grid of fossil fuels almost completely by 2030. .

By then, 95% of the country’s electricity will be produced from “low-carbon” energy sources, according to the energy security strategy released on Thursday.

The prime minister has proposed developing not only offshore wind – the most popular energy source among Cabinet ministers for its near-invisibility – but also nuclear, solar and onshore wind.

While onshore wind farm plans have been watered down significantly after triggering an early backlash, the government has said it wants to develop up to four new nuclear power stations, including Hinkley Point C under construction. It also envisions a five-fold increase in solar panel capacity – a much bigger expansion than expected.