Wind Energy Planning

The Vice President of Vestas wind turbines told the UK today that despite having some of the best onshore wind sites on the planet, green energy proposals are being thwarted by Nimbys.

In an interview on BBC’s ‘The Report’, Vestas’ VP Peter Kruse said the UK’s limited wind energy market is a problem for wind turbine manufacturers. Kruse said “Don’t blame London, because your government is doing a lot, but if people do not want turbines locally then you can put as many incentives as you want on the table.”

The Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight is heading for closure and the company is blaming poor demand for wind turbines, mainly due to local planning problems.

The Report also includes an interview with Energy & Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband in response. Miliband said “In 10 years’ time people will look back and think, ‘gosh, there was a huge fuss about this idea of renewable energy and wind energy but actually it was the right thing to do’

“I think we are going to be able to say to people, whether it’s in relation to offshore or onshore wind power, ‘if you want to be a centre for green manufacturing then we have to go ahead with the actual generation of wind power’”

Many believe the UK risks missing out on a slice of the green collar economy pie if it does not take some serious steps towards welcoming the green energy revolution. On a follow up Radio 4 programme this evening, Mike Carter from wind turbine manufacturer REpower said that the fact that there are 0 manufacturers in the UK demonstrates it is not an attractive place to be despite Ed Milibands confidence that clean tech companies will come.

Those in the industry say the UK energy strategy and planning system needs to be more dynamic and flexible. Renewable energy manufacturers will only be attracted if we offer a more efficient planning system alongside strong financial incentives.