North East wind turbine roll-out to continue
Oct 14 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
WIND turbines will continue being rolled out across North East skylines despite the region already meeting Government renewable energy targets.
Planning bosses have so far approved enough green energy developments to more than meet a Government-backed target as set out in the region’s long term growth blueprint.
The North East is also on track to pass the European Union renewable energy targets designed to reduce the nation’s dependency on oil and gas.
Despite the work done so far, planning chiefs say they are powerless to prevent future wind farms being brought forward and securing planning permission.
Renewable energy experts have told The Journal that while meeting renewable targets is by no means a foregone conclusion, the North East is well placed to secure more than 20,000 well-paid jobs as a result of the nation’s battle against climate change.
But Northumberland campaigners have said questions must be asked “as to just why we have to continue the push for on-shore wind energy”.
Retired physics lecturer and former engineer Bill Short said: “We are really been hammered with these turbines in Northumberland and it is obvious from these figures that we have far more than our fair share.”
Mr Short, whose Kirkwhelpington home is close to a proposed wind farm, added: “More of our renewable energy is sourced from wind than almost any other region, and the amount that is still to come is horrendous when you consider the impact they will have on this part of the country.”
The Regional Spatial Strategy – a planning blueprint for the North – requires councils to consider granting planning permission for wind turbines in order to achieve the 454-megawatt target which would power hundreds of thousands of homes.
Yet developers have already won planning permission for turbines generating 531 MW, with much more still to come from planned wind farms.
Professor Dermot Roddy, Science City’s Professor of Energy, said when the targets were broken down the North would have to make sure 35% of its electricity was from renewable sources – another target likely to be met.
He said: “If the North East is to retain its position as a leading player in the electrical power generation industry – and it is interesting to note that we generate almost twice as much electricity in this region as we consume – then we should be aiming for a figure which is significantly higher than 35% of regional electricity demand.”
Prof Roddy added: “The offshore wind industry alone is potentially worth £7bn to the UK’s economy, and could support 20,000 jobs in the North East if we make it a priority.”
Phil Jones, planning manager for the North East Assembly, said: “Renewable energy targets in the Regional Spatial Strategy are not a maximum, but something for the region to aim for and exceed.
“We will continue to try to ensure that the region contributes to all types of renewable energy in the best way possible.”
