Ministers are examining plans to relax restrictions on new onshore wind farms as part of proposals to expand renewable energy projects in the face of spiralling gas prices.
The government imposed a de facto moratorium on new onshore [wind farms] in England in 2015, imposing draconian planning restrictions and cutting onshore off from government investment in renewables.
However, ministers are looking at relaxing planning rules on developments as part of plans to reduce Britain’s reliance on Russian energy supplies and the high price of wholesale gas.
An announcement could be included in Boris Johnson’s statement on the future of UK energy supplies which is expected next week.
That will also include plans to increase the development of the UK’s nuclear power capacity and issue new licences to exploit North Sea oil and gas.
Senior government officials cautioned that no decision had yet been made but said that discussions were continuing.
In 2020 wind energy accounted for almost a quarter of total electricity generation in the UK, with offshore wind making up 13 per cent and onshore wind representing 11 per cent. But whereas offshore wind capacity has grown significantly over the past five years, new onshore projects have largely dried up in England where the government’s planning rules have taken effect.
David Cameron, who was prime minister at the time, introduced the measure in 2015 to constrain the development of new onshore farms, saying he wanted to rid the countryside of the “unsightly” structures after pressure from many Conservative MPs.
He excluded onshore wind from the government’s system of subsidies for low-carbon electricity and the government’s national planning framework was changed to disincentivise councils from granting planning licences by giving small groups of residents an effective veto on projects. This led to new onshore wind capacity falling to its lowest level in a decade in 2019.
However, in 2020 Johnson reversed part of Cameron’s measures by allowing onshore wind to take part in the latest round of bids for energy contracts.
Scotland and Wales have separate planning laws.
Ministers are now looking at the changes to the planning system to boost the output from onshore wind farms further.
Dan McGrail, the chief executive of RenewableUK, which represents the industry, said there were sites in England that had excellent wind resources but which it had been impossible to develop. “Under the current system, unlike other planning applications, onshore wind projects in England can be rejected if one single person objects to them going ahead,” he said.
“That needs to change if we’re serious about securing Britain’s energy independence and reaching net zero as fast as possible.”
Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin, head of analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “Onshore wind is popular, can be quick to build and connect to the power system, so with offshore wind, solar and boosting insulation in homes it’s the quickest and cheapest way of squeezing gas off the grid.
“Accelerating all these net-zero technologies is going to be critical to cutting Putin’s hold over us, and locking in less gas demand is also the route to permanently bringing down bills.”
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which is responsible for planning policy, did not respond to a request for comment.
Will the ban on Russian oil imports lead to shortages at fuel pumps?
Although the UK imports just under 20 per cent of its diesel from Russia, ministers are confident that this can be made up from other sources. Petrol is not expected to be affected as Russia is not a big provider.
Although the UK imports just under 20 per cent of its diesel from Russia, ministers are confident that this can be made up from other sources. Petrol is not expected to be affected as Russia is not a big provider.
But will it affect prices?
Almost certainly. After the ban was announced, the price of a barrel of oil rose by more than 7 per cent, to $132. Analysts have said it might reach $200 if Russia were to cut off supplies immediately. The RAC said that at $132 a barrel, fuel prices would be about £1.70 for petrol and £1.88 for diesel. It is likely that rises in the price of diesel will be larger than those of petrol as suppliers seek alternative sources of fuel and refining.
Almost certainly. After the ban was announced, the price of a barrel of oil rose by more than 7 per cent, to $132. Analysts have said it might reach $200 if Russia were to cut off supplies immediately. The RAC said that at $132 a barrel, fuel prices would be about £1.70 for petrol and £1.88 for diesel. It is likely that rises in the price of diesel will be larger than those of petrol as suppliers seek alternative sources of fuel and refining.
How will the government help?
Senior sources insist that Rishi Sunak has no plans to reduce either fuel duty or the VAT. They point out that the price of oil has been hugely volatile since the Russian invasion and say the Treasury needs longer to assess the long-term impact before making any decisions.
Senior sources insist that Rishi Sunak has no plans to reduce either fuel duty or the VAT. They point out that the price of oil has been hugely volatile since the Russian invasion and say the Treasury needs longer to assess the long-term impact before making any decisions.
However, Tory MPs have said that the recent price rises will have handed the chancellor a windfall of at least £2 billion from increased VAT receipts. They are calling on Sunak to return this to consumers through either a reduced VAT rate on fuel or a cut in fuel duty.
Will Russian gas also be banned?
Not immediately. The UK imports about 4 per cent of its supply from Russia. Ministers are acutely aware that the price of wholesale gas has risen by nearly 1,500 per cent since last year, and don’t want to do anything to exacerbate this situation. However, ministers have said they are “exploring options” to reduce dependence on Russian gas still further.
Not immediately. The UK imports about 4 per cent of its supply from Russia. Ministers are acutely aware that the price of wholesale gas has risen by nearly 1,500 per cent since last year, and don’t want to do anything to exacerbate this situation. However, ministers have said they are “exploring options” to reduce dependence on Russian gas still further.
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