Wind farms are falling well short

Jul 17 2009 Constructing Excellence with Catriona Lingwood, The Journal

THE North East’s targets on wind power are being portrayed as hot air this week after two stories emerged highlighting the difference between our region’s delivery and national targets.

On the same day that The Times outlined plans for the number of wind turbines to quadruple by 2020, The Journal showed the North East was lagging behind the rest of the country as the second worst performing region.

The national report, ahead of Wednesday’s unveiling of the Renewable Energy Strategy, outlined the Government’s aim of pushing through wind farm planning applications.

The Journal highlighted the fact that the North East regional assembly had adopted a 2010 onshore renewables target of 450 megawatts (MW). Its results to date?

Only 175 MW installed.

While we are labelled as second worst region, ahead of the South West, it appears the other regions aren’t exactly meeting targets either.

The South East, South West, East Midlands, London and North West of England had set a target of a combined total of 1,310 MW by 2010, with only 340 MW installed and a further 66 MW under construction.

Of the 93 applications submitted for onshore wind farms in the past three years, only 49 have been approved, with 14 of those having to go through an appeal.

With a Government target of cutting 34% of its CO2 emissions by 2020, it is likely to push for an additional 4,000 onshore turbines and 3,000 at sea.

Those who object to what they see as a scourge on the landscape that relies on an intermittent power supply will be drawing up fresh placards as we speak, preparing for an extended tour of duty on the protest battlefield.

Only now, the pro-wind Government is digging in to put extra force behind the turbines and the battle looks likely to become firmly entrenched.

With planning applications already submitted in the North East for wind farms representing 360 MW of capacity, the region’s objectors have their work cut out for them.

For more information on Constructing Excellence in the North East, please contact chief executive, Catriona Lingwood, on (0191) 383-7435 or catriona@cene.org.uk.

By Catriona Lingwood, chief executive, Constructing Excellence in the North East