News Archive Page
Dated 16/02/05

NAO report slams wind farm subsidies -

The National Audit Office published on 11th February a report into Renewable Energy in the U.K. (A copy of this report can be downloaded from their website - click here). This report confirms our contention that the current Renewables Obligations Certificate subsidy system is distorting the market and leading to the current rush of wind farm developers applying for planning permission in unsuitable sites (of which the Cambridge Wind Farm is a prime example).

The report shows that many wind farm operators are getting huge profits as part of a Government environmental policy that is also pushing up electricity prices. The report suggests that most onshore wind farms could operate on half the level of available subsidies.

It also says that the overall cost of renewable energy could add more than £1bn a year to electricity prices by the end of the decade. That amounts to an additional rise in bills of 5.7%.

The NAO conclusions also cast doubts on the cost of the Government's policy of reducing harmful emissions through encouraging electricity producers to use more and more renewable energy. The cost per ton of carbon dioxide saved can be more than double the financial benefit to society, the report says. It also states that reaching the Government's target of 10% of electricity being generated by renewable sources by 2010 will involve significant extra costs for consumers and taxpayers.

 

Yet another reason why the Cambridge Wind Farm should be rejected. It is in a totally inappropriate site and is only being proposed to make money for the developers.

Application to be considered on April 6th -

So many issues have been raised by a variety of consultees that there will be a further delay to see if Your Energy can answer any of them satisfactorily. The Council Planners have indicated that they will be planning to consider the application at their meeting of 6th April and have asked Your Energy to answer the raft of issues well before then so consultation on their response can be undertaken with among others StopCWF.

It is our strong belief that the overwhelming weight of considered opinion against this application will make it impossible for Your Energy to satisfy everyone's concerns and again we would ask them to withdraw and respect the stress they are causing to local residents.

Have your say - October 20th marked the end of the Public Consultation Period. However, KEEP WRITING TO THE PLANNERS after this date. They will still take note of your views and as a community we need the maximum number of letters objecting before the Planning Committee meets in January/February 05. Full details on submitting comments are available in the Get Involved section.