RACHEL Reeves has made the “absurd” ban on onshore wind farms her first target for an instant shake-up. The Chancellor yesterday seized upon the energy crisis, caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to underline the importance of homegrown security and cheaper bills for Brits. After a decade of Tory opposition to onshore wind farms , the Chancellor unveiled plans for wind farms to leapfrog the quagmire of local council planning applications.
By deeming them “nationally significant infrastructure projects”, they will instead be approved by Energy Secretary Ed Milliband . The plans were welcomed by developers and the energy industry but raised concerns it could mean local opposition is silenced. However, Brits are warming up to onshore windfarms with public support rated at 78 per cent, according to the Department for Energy and Net Zero’s recent polling.
Labour documents released yesterday said that communities should “rightly benefit from hosting local renewable energy infrastructure”. The promise of cheaper bills after last year’s energy crisis could be enough of an incentive, particularly if neighbourhoods are compensated in return for having a windmill. This is easier said than done as it requires more joined up thinking between energy suppliers, developers and the grid.
More wind farms will also require more grid connections — needed to transfer power between generators and homes and factories — and one of the biggest complaints in business is the q.
