Julian is welcoming the Government’s decision to reduce the subsidies available for onshore wind farm developers.
The Energy Secretary announced the 5% year-on-year cut in onshore wind subsidies in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on the electricity market reform programme on 4 December.
The statement gave a continued commitment to renewable energy but shifted support to offshore rather than onshore wind turbines.
Julian said:
“This reduction in subsidies for onshore wind is a positive step that builds on this Government’s reforms to give communities more say over local planning decisions to help ensure that turbines are not erected in unsuitable areas.
“We know that many onshore wind turbines are unviable without Government subsidy and, given the alarm they cause in communities and damage they do to our landscape, this change in subsidy is the right decision.
“It is important we develop renewable energy solutions for the future. However, it is vital the subsidies to support this are targeted at the most suitable forms of renewable energy. This change is an important step in ensuring this.”