How big an election issue is energy in Suffolk?

There are currently two nuclear power stations on the Suffolk coast but one is no longer used

Energy creation and transportation has been a talking point in Suffolk for many years and it's an issue the political parties are having to address.

There are many plans to build infrastructure in the county, including new nuclear power, offshore wind, pylons and cables.

Some local communities were unhappy about the potential impacts.

How big an issue is it for those who live there and what do the politicians have to say about it?

Pat Dorsey feared the area would be ruined

Pat Dorsey lives in Sizewell, close to where a new nuclear power station is planned.

She said more planning was needed from the government, and added: "They are rushing through to try and get to net zero, they're going to completely to ruin the whole of Suffolk and Norfolk."

She wanted to see an offshore grid that connected to brownfield sites closer to London.

Rufus and Reet Gilday felt ignored by energy companies

Rufus and Reet Gilday said they supported renewable energy in principle but were worried about onshore infrastructure, particularly a new planned substation at the village of Friston.

Mr Gilday said: "It's going to be the size of aircraft hangar in the middle of a farmer's field."

Barry Spivack and Joseph Sander both live in Rendlesham

Barry Spivack of Rendlesham said the UK should focus on developing renewable energy technologies to "minimise fossil fuels, create jobs and also sell them to other countries".

Joseph Sander, who also lives in Rendlesham, said he was generally in favour of nuclear power but "new construction is going to be really expensive and take a while, so I'd rather more wind and solar energy".

What are the election candidates in Suffolk Coastal saying?

Therese Coffey said "we need to make sure we keep our greenfields"

Conservative candidate Therese Coffey, said she was "happy for Sizewell C to go ahead".

She added: "I want to see the connections that are being made, particularly for the offshore wind and interconnectors, to be closer to London.

"I know it matters because we need to make sure we keep our greenfields when there are brownfields elsewhere; it will cost more money for the developers but I think it matters so much."

Julian Cusack said a new nuclear power station in Suffolk should be scrapped

Julian Cusack is standing for Green Party. He said: "I'm hugely in favour of the development of North Sea offshore wind - I do think that we need to see more onshore wind as well and community energy schemes."

On bringing energy onshore, Mr Cusack said: "I'm convinced, from what I've read, that there is an offshore solution.

"I think pausing and having another rethink about it is what we're calling for."

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter supports the building of Sizewell C

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter is the Labour candidate for Suffolk Coastal. She said: "We need to listen to the community and that it's brownfield first, not greenfield first; I think it's common sense

"With the projects that are moving ahead, Sizewell C, the decision has been made, we can't be complacent about where that investment goes, where the community fund goes.

"The benefit must be focussed on what's needed."

Julia Ewart said Sizewell C was being built in the "wrong place"

Julia Ewart, standing for the Liberal Democrats, said communities in Suffolk had been taken advantage of.

She added: "We live in a place that's not particularly demonstrative, they haven't got the skillset as a community because they're very kind and accommodating but this accommodation is too much."

Ms Ewart said Sizewell C was "too expensive, carbon=heavy and nobody wants to pay for it."

Matt Jackson is standing for Reform UK in the Suffolk Coastal constituency.

He was approached for his comments on energy infrastructure but has not yet replied.