New Year resolution for communities – look at onshore wind farms

Every community should make one important New Year resolution and that is to look at building a new onshore wind turbine.

That is the advice of Midlands energy expert Ron Fox after the Government promised to relax restrictions on putting up wind farms in the UK.

“It is an interesting move,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd, “because it could result in lower energy bills for those living nearby.”

The Conservatives will now consult on allowing turbines to be built if they have local support and that concerns about their impact have been addressed.

Building onshore wind farms have in effect been banned since 2015 under planning restrictions introduced by the then Prime Minister David Cameron.

Under current rules, companies in England can only apply to build onshore wind turbines on land specifically identified for development in plans drawn up by local councils.

However, more than 50 Tory MPs, including former Prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, have been pushing for an end to the ban saying it will boost growth and make the UK more energy independent.

Under the scheme towns or villages that back new wind turbines could be given the incentive of lower energy bills.

Ministers will also look at making it easier to upgrade existing sites, many of which are more than 20 years old, although it must be pointed out modern turbines are bigger but more efficient.

The consultation will run until April to address peoples’ different concerns, but the government has promised to protect important landscapes such as areas of natural beauty and national parks.

It will also allow local authorities to veto wind farms when there is community opposition and will stop them being imposed on communities against their will.

Onshore wind energy is the power that’s generated by wind turbines located on land driven by the natural movement of the air.

Onshore wind farms are usually found in fields or more rural areas, as they’re usually constructed in less-populated areas where buildings and obstacles don’t interrupt the air.

Onshore wind has been capturing and converting wind power in some form since the 1880s such as to make corn or drive pumps. But the opening of the Delabole wind farm in 1991 heralded the commercial era of onshore wind in the UK.

Today there are more than 1,500 operational onshore wind farms across Great Britain, generating more than 12 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity for the national electric system.

“I think it is a good idea,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park, “to allow local communities to decide about new turbines.

“One of the many advantages that people must remember is that they are the cheapest form of energy and its potential could help our domestic energy security as the same time as helping the fight against climate change.”

“If you want any advice on onshore turbines, contact me on 0845 474 6641,” said Ron.

 

Caption: Blowing in the right direction – a wind turbine for communities could reduce energy bills.