New Government must lift barriers to small-scale wind

Following Keir Starmer’s visit to a wind farm in Wales, The MCS Foundation has renewed calls for planning restrictions on small-scale wind turbines to be lifted.

 Currently, wind turbines classed as “small-scale” are limited in height to 11.1m. This reduces their efficiency and generation capacity, and means the turbines are subject to ground turbulence. The MCS Foundation, together with a working group of wind technology experts, has called for the height limit to be lifted to 30m to maximise small-scale wind’s efficiency and energy-generating potential.

 David Cowdrey, Acting Chief Executive of The MCS Foundation, said “While supporting large-scale wind, the new Government must not overlook the potential of small-scale wind turbines that can provide cheap, clean energy to rural communities and businesses, especially farmers. 

 “Small-scale wind turbines can be cheap to install and are unobtrusive, but their development is being held back by little-discussed planning restrictions. 

 “In order to gain the best efficiency from small-scale turbines, height restrictions should be lifted from 11.1m to 30m – that is, just taller than an average oak tree, and the same height as mobile phone masts. There should also be permitted development rights for farmers and for community energy projects. 

 “Raising the maximum height restrictions to just 30m and allowing permitted development could help many more rural communities harness renewable energy from wind, while minimising impacts on the local landscapes.”