Wind energy in the UK has hit the doldrums. From the high hopes of the early 1990s, the rate of installation has slowed dramatically. Other countries, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, are making more use of their wind energy potential despite the fact that the UK has the largest wind resource in Europe. The reason for this state of affairs is not the technology itself.
Wind turbines are now among the most cost-effective ways of generating renewable energy.
Around the world, wind is the fastest-growing energy source of all. The Planning Barrier PPG 22, the Planning Policy Guidance Note which covers wind energy, spells out the Government's positive approach towards renewables developments, which of course represent an important weapon in the battle against global warming. Such is the dearth of planning successes that, in the past three years, less than 9MW of schemes have gained consent in England and Wales. Even on appeal, developers are increasingly failing. Meanwhile, over 1000MW of NFFO wind schemes are waiting in the queue.