Climate, wildlife and energy poverty groups urge the government to allow new renewable energy projects in England

Climate, wildlife and energy poverty groups including Possible, Community Energy England, the RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts have written to the government urging them to ensure there are ways forward for new clean, cheap onshore renewable energy projects in England. The letter comes in light of comments by the Defra secretary on banning solar developments on farms and ahead of a vote on an amendment to the leveling up bill to unblock onshore wind.

What did the Letter say?

The letter notes that, in the midst of climate, energy and cost-of-living crises, the government’s refusal to unblock onshore wind and threats to place barriers on solar energy in England will harm the climate, the economy and communities.

Restrictions will also add to household energy costs, maintain the UK’s reliance on expensive, polluting gas, and prevent communities, businesses and farmers across England from developing local energy projects, which could help many stay afloat during the current economic turmoil. Farmers alone could face losses of more than £1 billion over two years from a ban on solar energy.

The groups also warn that policies banning or blocking renewables are out of step with what the UK public wants and with what the economy and the climate urgently need, and flout both international climate commitments and the government’s own net zero policies. All opposition parties are in support of allowing onshore wind in England, only the Conservative party is not (despite the fact that in 2019 81% of Tory voters supported renewable energy projects in their area).

Instead of these bans the groups propose implementing a planning system which would allow appropriately sited wind and solar projects to be developed across the UK. They also call for removal of the blocks on onshore wind projects, and a commitment to no new barriers to solar projects.

Why onshore wind and solar energy?

Onshore wind and solar energy are both clean, cheap and popular with 77% of people think the government should use new wind and solar farms to reduce electricity bills and 76% of people support building renewable energy projects in their local area.

If the UK is to hit its vital climate targets, and ensure households can afford to stay warm in winter, we need a rapid transition to clean, cheap renewable energy like wind and solar. Unblocking new onshore wind and ensuring solar energy can come forwards across the UK would cut emissions and insulate communities from the worst shocks of this fossil-fuelled energy crisis.

Following a summer of record-breaking heat and facing a cold winter of energy blackouts, it should not be possible for the government to even think of banning new onshore renewables in England. Renewable energy projects are essential to achieve the clean economy of the future.