Wind farms alone won't solve our problems

Wind turbine. Photo: Stock.xchng

CPRE believes that wind turbines have a potential role to play in helping us reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated by electricity production. But it is a myth to assume that more wind turbines mean that the threat of climate change can be tackled adequately.

We need to use less energy
We generate carbon emissions through a wide range of energy uses — with transport and heating making the largest contributions. Unless we start to reduce our demand for energy, we will be unable to keep our carbon dioxide emissions at a constant level, let alone make the big reductions required to prevent massive climate change. We cannot build our way out of climate change.

The Government's aspiration is that the UK should generate 20% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The Government has not specified the contribution of offshore wind and it has not made clear whether it assumes that electricity demand will remain the same or continue to rise. If demand were to increase by 25% compared to 2000, and three quarters of the 20% proportion of renewable electricity were generated by 2-megawatt onshore wind turbines with an average annual output of 30%, the total area covered by wind turbines would be about 620 square kilometres, or 240 square miles — an area almost as large as Exmoor National Park. CPRE believes that the costs of such development to the countryside would be very high.

Energy conservation and the energy mix
We need energy policies that:

• give the strongest possible encouragement to energy conservation and efficiency to reduce overall consumption
• promote a mix of renewables, including offshore development of wind energy, provided any environmental impacts — such as the impacts on coastal scenery and beautiful seascapes — are properly addressed
• value and protect the countryside for its beauty, tranquillity and diversity.

CPRE’s view – the impact of wind turbines on the countryside
CPRE will vigorously oppose proposals for major wind turbine development in and adjacent to areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks where these would be damaging to the landscape. We will consider all cases on their merits and stand up for the wider countryside outside designated areas. CPRE will support wind development proposals where they are appropriately located.