RenewableUK launches survival plan for the small wind industry

RenewableUK is today releasing its Small and Medium Wind Strategy Report. This highlights the potential size of the small and medium wind market to the UK and aims to resolve the impending crisis in the small wind industry.

The report draws attention to the untapped contribution small and medium wind can provide to the UK by 2023. These include:

• Installing 2,460 megawatts in total capacity – enough to power 1.3 million homes
• Saving 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions
• Creating 11,448 jobs
• Adding £863 million to the UK economy

Despite the potential offered by the sector, there are serious issues on the horizon for the small wind industry as a result of reduced financial and political support from Government. The report points out that the current pressure being placed on the UK’s small wind industry is “driving it towards breaking point”. The document outlines a number of simple measures to resolve this, including the need for the Government to publicly back the industry and simplify the planning procedure for smaller-scale applications.

The report also highlights growth in the medium wind sector, but warns that positive policies are needed in the future. These include improved finance lending and a fairer level of financial support. At present, financial support for small and medium wind is decreasing at a rate to which the industry is unable to keep up with. This means farmers and domestic users could be less able to take advantage of these low carbon technologies in the future.

RenewableUK’s Small & Medium Wind Development Manager Louisa Coursey said:

“The purpose of this report is to get Government to notice the unnecessary burdens it’s imposing on the industry at the moment. If it’s not careful it could put the future of small wind in real jeopardy, which would undo years of progress. Small and medium wind turbines provide a lifeline to the rural economy through job creation and self-sufficient electricity supplies; powering thousands of farms, businesses and households across the country. We implore the Government to think long and hard before it risks turning this from a UK success story into a lost opportunity”.

RenewableUK is the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association, specialising in onshore wind, offshore wind and wave & tidal energy. Formed in 1978, it has an established, large corporate membership ranging from small independent companies, to large international corporations and manufacturers. Acting as a central point of information and a united, representative voice for its members, RenewableUK conducts research; finds solutions; organises events, facilitates business development, and promotes wind and marine renewables to government, industry, the media and the public. Its vision is for renewable energy to play a leading role in powering the UK.

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