Tories promise wind energy community incentives

Shadow energy and climate change secretary Greg Clark has pledged that local communities would receive financial incentives for allowing wind farm developments in their area if the Conservatives come to power.

Speaking at Oxford University on November 27 as part of the Conservative Green Week, Mr Clark said that there was a "positive way forward" for onshore wind away from "bitter planning disputes", claiming that the Conservatives were determined to find ways to allow communities who participate in renewable energy projects to share in the rewards.

Mr Clark said: "Conservatives are determined to find ways to allow communities who participate in renewable energy projects to share in the rewards that comes from doing their bit."

Mr Clark pledged that a Conservative government would allow communities to keep all of the increase in business rates from any wind development for the first six years. The shadow secretary claimed that a 10MW wind farm would pay £72,000 a year in rates back into the local community.

Mr Clark also said that the party was in discussions with the wind industry about other ways for communities to benefit. Some of the ideas include discounted electricity rates for local residents and empowering communities to take part ownership of a local wind farm so that more of the development's revenues stay in the local area.

He went on to criticise the Labour government for its attitude to local communities who are against wind farms stating "Labour's only solution to complications over onshore wind is to demonise anyone who has the temerity to object. As well as being wrong, this is obviously counter productive."

Yes2Wind certainly welcomes any ideas that might enable more community involvement in wind farm developments but isn't convinced that entire communities are against any particular wind farm proposal, as Mr Clark appears to intimate.