The Tories have pledged that if they are elected with an overall majority in 2015 they will axe public subsidies for any newly planned onshore wind turbines.
Existing windfarms and those already with planning permission would be protected from the change but the energy minister, Michael Fallon, said these would be enough to meet 2020 targets set by the EU – meaning any further developments should not be subsidised.
Instead, the money will be used to back other renewable technologies as part of a mix of energy supplies.
Changes to planning rules will also give communities more power to reject onshore wind projects not already in place or planned when the policy comes into force.
But critics said the Conservatives were turning their back on the cheapest form of renewable energy and would put future jobs at risk. They claim the move is designed to counter the threat from Ukip.
Fallon said: “We remain committed to cutting our carbon emissions. And renewable energy, including onshore wind, has a key role in our future energy supply.
“But we now have enough bill payer-funded onshore wind in the pipeline to meet our renewable energy commitments and there’s no requirement for any more.
via Tories would scrap windfarm subsidies | Environment | The Guardian.
Tories would scrap windfarm subsidies
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