Government strategy
The Government is committed to wind deployment to maintain our energy security and, looking forward to 2050, to help to decarbonise our electricity supply. But we will ensure that this is achieved in a way that is manageable and protects consumers from rising energy bills, and gives communities the power to shape the development of their local areas.
Wind power has a vital contribution to make both to our energy security and our low-carbon goals, as part of a diverse energy mix with other renewable sources, nuclear, clean coal and gas. As an island nation we have outstanding wind resources, and wind energy is an indigenous source of energy needed to meet our renewable energy and climate change goals.
DEPLOYMENT
In 2011, onshore wind contributed 3% of the UK electricity supply (up from 1.9% in 2010), with renewables of all types providing a total of 9.5% of all UK electricity, an increase of 2.7% on the 6.8% in 2010.
The precise breakdown between technologies will depend on how investors respond to the incentives put in place. Renewable generating technologies more widely could provide around 30% of our electricity (compared to around 6.5% today), with some two-thirds of this coming from onshore and offshore wind.
INTERMITTENCY
Wind power is intermittent, but even allowing for the use of back up generation research shows that increased penetration of renewable energy technologies could lead to substantial carbon savings within the UK power sector of around 400Mt of CO2 to 2030.
Wind turbines tend to generate electricity for around 80-85% of the time, but wind speeds vary and this has an impact on how much power is produced. Sometimes we may see a period of a few days when turbines produce comparatively little electricity. However, the electricity system always has more generating capacity available than the expected demand and by having a diverse energy mix, we can manage the fact that some technologies, such as wind, are intermittent.
COMMUNITIES AND PLANNING
DECC wants communities and individuals to benefit from the increase in renewable energy, including wind power, and to own a stake in our collective low-carbon future. This is why the Government has committed to encouraging more community-owned renewable energy and ensuring business rates are retained locally.
The Government also welcomes the new Community Engagement Protocol announced by RenewableUK. This protocol enables payments from wind farms to community benefit funds.
The National Planning Policy Framework commits to safeguarding the natural and historic environment, protecting areas of outstanding natural beauty, sites of special scientific interest and areas of national heritage importance.
The Government will also introduce neighbourhood planning and neighbourhood development orders through the Localism Bill. This will enable communities to draw up neighbourhood plans to shape development in their own locality and permit development without the need for planning applications. Under neighbourhood planning, local communities can help shape their own low-carbon future. Neighbourhood plans should be in line with the relevant local authority plans and national policy.
Noise
Change: The Institute of Acoustics has set up a working group and is taking forward work to develop such guidance.