Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has joined with 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons and written to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the amount of subsidy given to onshore wind.
It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to give more weight to the views of local residents in their decisions to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.
Mark said:
“I am broadly in favour of sourcing more of our energy from renewable sources but I am greatly concerned by the inefficiency of onshore wind farms, which is why I raised the issue in Parliament only last week.”
Mark continued:
“There are a number of problems with onshore wind power. Onshore turbines are very inefficient when there is no wind, which may be understandable, but they are also inefficient in times of high wind and optimum wind, often being turned off, since there is not the infrastructure in place to deal with the energy which is generated. Added to that, the cost of subsidies to onshore wind increases the price of energy bills to every home and business here in Rugby and I do not think that is right.”
Mark concluded:
“I am keen to see the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind reduced, and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on energy efficiency measures here in Rugby. There have also been a number of high profile wind farm applications submitted to the local authorities and from this perspective I do feel it is of great importance that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local peoples’ views are taken fully into account. The system should recognise the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have not just here in Rugby, but across the country.”