Interviews available - contact Alison Hill, Head of Communications

On Friday 2 March, BWEA will be releasing new data showing that in the 4 months since the publication of the Stern Review, the grimmest warning yet of the economic impacts of climate change, planning decisions for wind energy are the worst they have ever been during the industry's 15 year history. With Government targets for 10% of renewable energy less than three years away, BWEA is highlighting the need for urgent action.

Of the 18 planning decisions made on onshore wind energy projects since October 2006, 12 were refusals - a 33% approval rate, compared to an average approval rate of 76% for all major applications, such as offices, dwellings and retail.

8,000 MW is currently in the planning system from onshore wind projects alone, representing nearly 6% of potential UK electricity supplies. Much of this has been in the planning system for over 3 years, yet just one quarter of this needs to be determined by December this year for the 2010 target to become a reality.

The Stern Review was commissioned by the UK Government and is recognised worldwide as being an authoritative statement on the economics of climate change, but both government and local planning authorities do not appear to be heeding this advice and BWEA is questioning what can be done to improve decision making, with a u-turn required as soon as possible - time is of the essence, with the support of Friends of the Earth.

Interviews are available:
Chris Tomlinson - Director of Programme Strategy, BWEA
Tony Juniper - Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
Dale Vince - CEO, Ecotricity (just received High Court ruling)
Richard Mardon - MD, Your Energy Ltd (just had a project refused in Cambridge)

For further information, including the detailed report, and interview requests, contact

Alison Hill
Head of Communications
BWEA
020 7689 1966
07956 859 749
www.bwea.com