Spread of small-scale wind turbines popular with farmers takes total number
to 30,000, analysis shows
By Emily Gosden, Energy Editor
The number of onshore wind turbines in Britain has reached 30,000 after
increasing by 13 per cent last year, according to research.
The disclosure has prompted suggestions that the wind industry is
encroaching upon the countryside by stealth. The figure dwarfs the total
that is commonly quoted by the industry, which currently stands at 4,399.
The discrepancy is because the lower figure does not include the vast
numbers of small and mid-sized turbines that have the capacity to produce
less than 100kW of electricity each.
The smaller turbines range from “micro” roof-top turbines to those that can
reach over 100 feet tall and have been installed by thousands of farmers
and landowners across the UK.
By comparison, the biggest onshore turbines can reach 475 feet tall.
The issue of wind power is likely to be a key election battleground after
David Cameron pledged that there would be no more subsidies for onshore
wind under a Conservative government.
Wind farms have often met with strong local opposition, and are estimated
to add £765 million a year to consumers’ bills through subsidies, according
to the Renewable Energy Foundation.
Many Tories fear that the issue could cost them crucial votes in rural areas.
Analysis by RenewableUK, the wind industry body, shows that the total
number of turbines increased by 13 per cent, to 29,353 at the end of last
year, and is now expected to have surpassed 30,000.
Developers have told The Telegraph that they have seen a surge in interest
in smaller wind turbines around the country.
Data compiled by Earthmill, a specialist in farm turbines, showed a 60 per
cent rise in the number of “live” planning applications for small and
mid-sized turbines since October, with 810 applications in the system at
the end of last month.
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, who has led the campaign against onshore wind
turbines, said: “The true scale of onshore wind and its cost is only just
beginning to come to light.
“Small-scale turbines can be as controversial as big wind farms, depending
on where they are sited. I am very pleased my party has said we will let
local communities decide where to site these things.
“But my opinion is we have too many already because the subsidy is too
high, and we are backing a losing horse in the race for sustainable energy.”
He said the smaller turbines “can go much closer to people’s homes”.
He added: “It is proximity to other dwellings that causes the upset.”
In 2013, 605 medium and large-scale turbines of more than 100kW were
installed. In the same year, RenewableUK estimates that 3,536 smaller
turbines were also installed.
However, the data for so far in 2014 shows that the installation rate for
the larger turbines is slowing, amid a tougher planning regime as
communities secretary Eric Pickles calls in more applications for review.
Only 141 turbines of 100kW or greater capacity have been installed so far
this year.
Steve Milner, director of Earthmill, said that small and mid-sized turbines
were popular with farmers as they reduced their energy costs.
He said that a 225kW turbine – which could reach 147 feet tall – could cost
up to £500,000 to install.
A farmer could however expect to recoup that cost within 10 years through a
combination of subsidies, which are funded through levies on consumer
energy bills, the avoided costs of buying power, and additional income from
selling surplus power. The subsidies would continue for a further 10 years,
meaning they could expect to make a further £500,000, he said.
But Mr Milner said that gaining planning permission was getting
“significantly harder”. “There are more objections and more hoops to jump
through,” he said.
Jennifer Webber, director of external affairs at RenewableUK, said: “Small
and medium wind turbines are a lifeline for Britain’s rural economy –
research shows that 40 per cent of farmers are generating much-needed
income from renewables, and a further 61 per cent are intending to do so
over the next five years, so we could soon see three out of every four
farmers using renewable energy.
“The vast majority of the onshore wind turbines installed in the UK are
micro, small and medium-sized turbines installed by people living in rural
areas generating their own power, and protecting themselves from the cost
of having to import energy”.
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