Local MPs continue to lobby ministers and there are still protests and legal challenges. The plans for new substations, underground cabling, and pylons to carry the energy from offshore windfarms are being fiercely opposed in Suffolk.
However, the UK government holds the opinion that at least some of this work must proceed due to the demand for more domestic energy. The focus has now shifted to how to appease the affected communities.
During a recent trip to Suffolk, Energy Minister Andrew Bowie stated: "It is really important that we listen to those communities that will be asked to host this infrastructure on the nation's behalf. ".
East Anglia One North (EA1N) and East Anglia Two (EA2) are two offshore wind farms that received government approval last year.
Some locals in the Aldeburgh area are incensed by the developer, ScottishPower,'s plans to bring cables onshore there to deliver the electricity they produce.
The Scottish government has introduced a program called Community Benefits, and ministers are citing Scotland as the location of nearly half of the UK's wind energy production.
For each megawatt of additional capacity built, energy companies are encouraged to donate £5,000 to local communities. £25 million was given out last year.
Morwen Smith from the power company SSE, which refuted claims that the money was just a bribe "to stop people from complaining," said: "We recognize that there are impacts during the construction phase and frequently ongoing work after that.".
"We want the communities that the wind farms we are building will serve to benefit from them, and we want to be a part of that community. She said, "It's the right thing to do.
In Lossiemouth, Community Benefits contributed to the construction of a new bridge while transforming a nearby lighthouse into a new tourism and heritage facility.
In Dornoch, a town further up the coast, a former police station has been transformed into a community hub with a gym, offices, and affordable lodging for traveling workers thanks to £270,000 in windfarm funds.
Citizens Advice comes here once a week, local academy students use our kitchen, and we have a lunch club, according to Joan Bishop, who established the hub.
"The money has made a significant difference; we had a significant disadvantage in terms of community facilities. " .
Ships that supply the wind farms are now based in the Moray Firth port of Buckie. .
According to SNP councilor Graham Leadbitter of the Moray Economic Partnership, the money from the energy companies has improved the region.
In contrast to the overall value of the project they are building and the profit they will realize, he continued, "but it's small beer.".
We can probably power the entirety of Scotland with the energy we're generating, but we're not seeing the benefits in terms of lower electricity bills, Conservative councillor David Gordon said in reference to plans for additional pylons and substations in the area. " .
According to SSE, offshore wind is very expensive to develop and raising benefits could result in higher energy costs.
A consultation on the potential implementation of Community Benefits has just been finished by the Westminster government. Later in the year, it will make its plans public.
Community Benefits appear to have been successful in Scotland; however, if the program is duplicated or improved in England, will it be sufficient to win over Suffolk and other communities along the so-called "energy coast"?
The Energy Coastline will be the topic of a special Politics East discussion on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00 BST.
