Action Against Matlock Moor Wind Farm Proposal

Government News

The Guardian:

  • 2008: Wind to generate 3GW of electricity.
  • 2010: Renewables to generate 10% of all UK electricity, of which wind is expected to constitute 60%.
  • 2020: 20% of all EU energy to be produced from renewables.
  • 2050: UK to reduce carbon emissions by 80%.

The Government has drastically underestimated EU renewables target.

www.ref.org.uk/PressDetails/142


Tax increases could lead to scrapping of on-shore Wind Farm Projects

The wind industry has accused the government of “sabotage” over a proposed fourfold tax increase that could lead to the scrapping of up to half Britain’s 150 onshore projects.

The hike has infuriated energy groups, which are warning of a wholesale retreat from the struggling sector just weeks after the government unveiled a package of aid measures designed to support it.

In a letter seen by The Sunday Times, Eon accused the government of “giving with one hand and taking with the other”. Infinis, the renewable-energy group owned by Guy Hands’s Terra Firma, said the changes would “amount to between 40% and 50% of [its] portfolio not proceeding past the consent stage”.

Every five years the Treasury’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) resets business rates. Its latest proposal would raise rates from next April from £5,000 per megawatt to £20,000 per megawatt.

Business rates make up about 5% of an onshore wind farm’s running costs, which under the proposal would increase to about 20%, rendering many of the 150 projects planned in Britain unviable. Offshore farms are exempt.

The dramatic difference in rates is due to the inclusion by the VOA of the per-megawatt subsidies that the government has introduced to encourage investment. A spokesman for the BWEA, the industry lobby group, said: “We won’t be able to deliver on the government’s targets if schemes are no longer profitable.”

Danny Fortson, Times Online, 17 May 2009


MP calls for New Rules regarding Wind Farm Proposals

Natascha Engel – MP for North East Derbyshire visited the Matlock Moor site on February 27th 2009 and met the AMP committee together with 44 local residents at the Uppertown Social Centre. Although there was little time for questions and answers Natascha promised to raise the questions regarding the Matlock Moor Site in the House of Commons the following week.

DOC MP calls for new rules to prevent wind farm plans.doc


Legislation to Change regarding Wind Farm Proposals

Energy minister Mike O'Brien speaking at Tuesday's Westminster Hall debate on March 31st, said the new Renewable Energy Strategy would see councils taking a more strategic approach to planning green energy projects.

DOC New legislation to change way wind farm areas are designated.doc