UK onshore wind power set for rapid growth-industry group

By Stuart Penson

LONDON (Reuters) – The number of wind turbines dotted
across Britain’s landscape is set to surge over the next four
years despite trouble getting planning permission, the wind
power industry said on Monday.

Onshore turbines capable of powering 3 million homes, or
five percent of UK electricity supply, will be spinning by the
end of the decade as the industry grows much faster than
previously expected, the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA)
said in its submission to a government consultation on future
energy policy.

“Our research proves, very clearly, that onshore wind will
deliver, bringing major benefits to the economy and the
environment while securing our energy supplies,” said Chris
Tomlinson, the BWEA’s onshore wind chief.

Windy Scotland would be the focus of the expansion, which
could see capacity of 6,000 megawatts in place by 2010, up from
an expected 665 megawatts by the end of this year.

The BWEA said the new wind capacity could save millions of
tonnes of emissions of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, by
displacing coal and gas-fired power plants, and deliver nearly
half the government’s target on expanding renewable energy.

The BWEA’s claims come as Britain’s wind power industry
faces difficulties gaining planning permission for turbines
that critics say spoil the landscape.

Earlier this month energy minister Malcolm Wicks accepted
recommendations by planning authorities in Cumbria, northern
England, that a huge wind farm be blocked on the grounds that
environmental damage from building turbines would outweigh the
benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The future role of wind power and energy sources is a hot
topic in Britain as the government overhauls both its energy
and climate change policy.

A revised climate change strategy is expected to be
unveiled this week in a move to get the UK back on track toward
meeting ambitious domestic goals on curbing greenhouse gas
emissions.

At the same time ministers are working on an urgent review
of energy policy which aims to reconcile the need for long-term
energy supply security with lower emissions.

“Wind is already firmly established as part of the UK’s
energy mix and its continued expansion must be fully recognized
in the government’s energy review,” said the BWEA’s Tomlinson.