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Miliband backs solar and wind projects covering farmland nearly the size of Manchester

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Miliband backs solar and wind projects covering farmland nearly the size of Manchester

Ed Miliband has approved a sweeping expansion of renewable energy projects across the UK, backing solar farms that could cover an area of farmland close to the size of Manchester, alongside dozens of new onshore wind developments.

On Tuesday, the energy secretary awarded consumer-funded subsidies to 134 new solar farms across England and a further 23 in Wales and Scotland. He also approved 28 large onshore wind projects, mainly located on hillsides in Scotland and Wales.

Among the schemes given the green light is the vast West Burton solar farm on prime agricultural land on the Lincolnshire–Nottinghamshire border, as well as one of the UK’s most northerly solar developments on farmland in north Aberdeenshire. Miliband has also approved England’s largest onshore wind project in a decade, the 20 megawatt Imerys Wind Farm on a former mining site in Cornwall.

Under the government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) regime, operators of the new projects will receive a guaranteed minimum price for the electricity they generate for up to 20 years after becoming operational, with the difference funded through levies on consumer energy bills.

The announcement was welcomed by renewable energy developers and industry groups, who argue that large-scale solar and onshore wind are among the cheapest ways to generate new electricity.

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However, countryside and community campaigners warned that the decision risks long-term damage to farmland and rural landscapes.

Claire Coutinho, Labour’s shadow energy secretary, said the subsidies would ultimately raise household bills. “The true cost of this power, once you add in network charges and back-up, is far higher,” she said. “All this will do is make electricity more expensive, when what we need is cheaper power to support growth and living standards.”

The approvals include 4.9 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity, 1.3GW of onshore wind and four experimental tidal schemes totalling 21 megawatts. They follow confirmation earlier this month of subsidies for 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity.

Campaign groups argue that the land impact of solar is being underestimated. Rosie Pearson, chair of the Community Planning Alliance, said: “This represents further destruction of countryside and best farmland while warehouse roofs, car parks and houses sit empty of solar panels. Add the pylons that accompany these schemes and rural areas are being industrialised.”

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Based on previous developments, the solar farms approved could cover more than 40 square miles of mainly agricultural land, close to the size of Manchester, which spans about 45 square miles. The solar industry counters that improved panel efficiency could reduce the final land take to around 36 square miles, roughly equivalent to Stoke-on-Trent.

Concerns were also raised about the pace of onshore wind development in Scotland. Helen Crawford of the Highland Community Council Convention on Major Energy Infrastructure said communities were being left behind by planning decisions. “The lack of strategic spatial planning has created a democratic deficit between communities and policymakers,” she said.

Industry bodies rejected claims that the projects would push up costs. James Robottom of RenewableUK said new onshore wind would protect consumers from volatile gas prices, while Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK, described the approvals as “proof positive” that solar delivers the cheapest available power.

Miliband defended the decision, saying the expansion would strengthen energy security and cut bills over the long term. “By backing solar and onshore wind at scale, we’re driving bills down for good and protecting families and businesses from the fossil-fuel rollercoaster controlled by petrostates and dictators,” he said.

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Under the latest CfD terms, new onshore wind farms will receive a minimum price of £75.50 per megawatt hour (MWh) in today’s prices, while solar projects will receive £68.17 per MWh. That compares with market prices of around £60 per MWh for electricity expected to be delivered in summer 2028.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has previously warned that CfD levies on consumer and business energy bills are projected to rise from £2.3 billion in 2024–25 to around £5 billion by 2030–31, intensifying the political debate over who ultimately pays for the UK’s clean energy transition.


Jamie Young

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

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Eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores, one Nieman Marcus location closing

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Eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores, one Nieman Marcus location closing

Saks Global Enterprises said Tuesday it will close nine stores as it shifts its focus to more profitable locations.

The company said eight Saks Fifth Avenue locations and one Neiman Marcus store will close.

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“By optimizing our operational footprint, we will be better positioned to deliver exceptional products, elevated experiences and highly personalized service across all channels, while simultaneously positioning our company to make investments that enable long-term growth and value creation,” Saks Global Enterprises CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said in a statement.

People outside a Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Shoppers leave a Saks Fifth Avenue store Dec. 30, 2025, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

SAKS GLOBAL FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER $2.7 BILLION NEIMAN MARCUS ACQUISITION DEAL 

Saks Global Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in mid-January in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas after missing a $100 million interest payment in December, adding to mounting debt obligations. 

Saks will ask a U.S. bankruptcy judge to approve the nine store closings at a court hearing Friday, the company said in a court document filed Tuesday.

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After the filing, Saks Global announced it secured a financing commitment of approximately $1.75 billion backed by senior secured bondholders and asset-based lenders to support operations during the restructuring. 

Shoppers outside Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan

Holiday shoppers walk outside the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan in New York City Dec. 5, 2023.  (Reuters/Mike Segar/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE PLUNGES TO LOWEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN A DECADE

Saks Global announced last month that most Saks Off 5th locations across the U.S. would close, just weeks after its bankruptcy filing.  

The luxury retailer closed 23 of its Saks Off 5th stores Feb. 2, while another 34 held closing sales starting at the end of January. Only 12 locations in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, California and Texas will remain open.

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MOST SAKS OFF 5TH LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE TO CLOSE AMID BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

Shoppers enter the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Fifth Avenue in New York.

Shoppers enter the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Fifth Avenue in New York Nov. 27, 2020. (Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Here’s which Saks Fifth Avenue stores are closing:

The Summit – Birmingham, Alabama

Polaris Fashion Place – Columbus, Ohio

American Dream – East Rutherford, New Jersey

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Shops at Canal Place – New Orleans, Louisiana

Bala Plaza – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biltmore Fashion Park – Phoenix, Arizona

Stony Point Fashion Park – Richmond, Virginia

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Utica Square – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Here’s the Neiman Marcus store that’s closing:

Copley Place – Boston, Massachusetts

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

FOX Business’ Greg Norman and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Warren Buffett’s Japanese Bets Keep Paying Off

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Warren Buffett’s Japanese Bets Keep Paying Off

Berkshire holds stakes in Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo.

The firms operate in a wide range of businesses, in areas such as chemicals, agricultural commodities, mining and consumer products.

Itochu stock was roughly flat Monday, but the others added between 3% and 5.3%—with each of the four notching new record closing highs, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

Berkshire first revealed it had taken positions in the quintet in August 2020, though stake building started about a year earlier. It has subsequently increased those holdings.

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Since Berkshire first disclosed that it was investing in the trading firms, their shares have gained between 280% and 832%.

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Gilead Sciences, Inc. 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (NASDAQ:GILD) 2026-02-10

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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Dollar Weakens While Markets Brace for Fiscal Stimulus in Japan

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Stocks Little Changed After Fed Decision

“We expect implied volatility to pick up again,” Goldman Sachs’ Karen Fishman writes. She expects the USDJPY to move “towards and through 160.” In such a scenario, intervention risk rises. She expects markets “to proceed cautiously against elevated risk of intervention, but that can only last for so long.”

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Coleen Rooney increases Applied Nutrition stake as firm targets working mothers

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The Liverpool-based nutrition company, backed by JD Sports, has reported growth in sales since launching shares on the London stock markets in 2024

Coleen Rooney with a packet of Applied Nutrition Diet Protein and branded water bottle

Coleen Rooney has upped her stake in Applied Nutrition(Image: Applied Nutrition/PA)

Coleen Rooney has increased her investment in Applied Nutrition as the wellness company seeks to appeal to a broader range of consumers, including working mothers.

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The television personality and wife of former footballer Wayne Rooney has substantially increased her stake in the business, the firm confirmed. It is understood that Mrs Rooney has approximately doubled her holding, which remains beneath the 3% threshold that would require a publicly listed company to declare it to the London Stock Exchange.

The Liverpool-headquartered firm, which also counts retailer JD Sports amongst its backers, floated on the London stock markets in 2024 and has recorded sales growth since then.

Mrs Rooney was amongst the investors in the company’s flotation following her appointment as a brand ambassador for the group, though the exact size of her stake has never been publicly disclosed.

She is also the face of a range of products for Applied Nutrition, including collagen and powders designed to support sleep, immunity, hydration and reduce bloating.

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Her participation has enabled the company to reach a wider demographic of customers, given that the sports nutrition sector is traditionally perceived as a more male-dominated industry.

Coleen Rooney said: “Nutrition and supplements have always been an important part of my fitness regime and had included Applied Nutrition products for many years before having the opportunity to create my own range. I am delighted with the range we have created together and look forward to expanding the range further.

“Combining a healthy lifestyle with exercise helps me feel good about myself and provides the energy required for a busy mum of four boys especially now that I have gone back to working on several projects and opportunities.

“Alongside being an ambassador for the business, I had the opportunity to invest in the company and couldn’t be happier with my decision as the business continues to grow. I am excited about the future of the company as it expands into new markets and products and have decided to invest further.

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“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the board and the rest of the team and to be a part of the company’s future success.”

Applied Nutrition’s chief executive Thomas Ryder said: “Coleen embodies everything we are about – focus, passion for wellness and a commitment to the journey, as illustrated by her increasing her shareholding. Coleen has played an important role in broadening our customer base and increasing brand awareness among a wider, health-conscious audience.

“It is particularly rewarding to work alongside someone who is as passionate about health and wellness and believes in the long-term potential of the business as strongly as we do.”

The company primarily operates through business-to-business sales, distributing its products to retailers, supermarkets, fitness centres and sports clubs, catering to everyone from elite athletes to individuals pursuing weight loss goals.

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Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

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Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

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Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (CCSI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Q4: 2026-02-10 Earnings Summary

EPS of $1.41 beats by $0.11

 | Revenue of $87.07M (0.10% Y/Y) beats by $448.16K

Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (CCSI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call February 10, 2026 8:30 AM EST

Company Participants

Adam Varon – Senior Vice President of Finance
R. Turicchi – CEO & Director
Johnny Hecker – Chief Revenue Officer & Executive VP of Operations
James Malone – CFO & Principal Accounting Officer

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Conference Call Participants

David Larsen – BTIG, LLC, Research Division
Gene Mannheimer
Isaac Sellhausen – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division

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Presentation

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Consensus Q4 2025 Earnings Call. My name is Paul, and I will be the operator assisting you today. [Operator Instructions]

On this call from Consensus will be Scott Turicchi, CEO; Jim Malone, CFO; Johnny Hecker, CRO and Executive Vice President of Operations; and Adam Varon, Senior Vice President of Finance. I will now turn the call over to Adam Varon, Senior Vice President of Finance at Consensus. Thank you. You may begin.

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Adam Varon
Senior Vice President of Finance

Good morning, and welcome to the Consensus investor call to discuss our Q4 and year-end 2025 financial results, other key information and our 2026 full year and Q1 2026 guidance. Joining me today are Scott Turicchi, CEO; Johnny Hecker, CRO and EVP of Operations; and Jim Malone, CFO. The earnings call will begin with Scott providing opening remarks. Johnny will give an update on operational progress since our Q3 2025 investor call, and then Jim will discuss Q4 2025 and full year 2025 financial results, then provide our full year 2026 and Q1 2026 guidance range.

After we finish our prepared remarks, we will conduct a Q&A session. At that time, the operator will instruct you on the procedures for asking a question. Before we begin our prepared remarks, allow me to direct you to our forward-looking statements and risk factors on Slide 2 of our investor presentation.

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Middlefield Banc earnings missed by $0.27, revenue fell short of estimates

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Middlefield Banc earnings missed by $0.27, revenue fell short of estimates

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Pegasystems shares fall 5% as net income declines YoY, despite better-than-expected Q4

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Pegasystems shares fall 5% as net income declines YoY, despite better-than-expected Q4

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Tyson Foods sees long road before Beef business recovers

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Tyson Foods sees long road before Beef business recovers

The US cattle herd is the smallest since 1951. 

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