A bill attempting to set minimum distances from residential premises has been put before legislators across Europe on a number of occasions, yet it has not progressed beyond initial reading stages. However, it has been widely publicised and some local authorities have proposed policies with similar criteria. In this feature, PES sets out the current thinking on the impact of wind turbines and the implications for separation distances or ‘buffer zones’.
National policy on renewable energy strongly supports the need for further deployment of onshore wind. Whilst there is a bill on separation distances circulating at present, this is not EU policy and has not been evidenced. Charles Hendry, the UK Energy Minister (until September 2012), is quoted in a February 2011 debate on onshore wind energy as stating: “I do not think it is right to go down the route of having specific distances between onshore wind farms and residences.”
In Scotland, for example, the policy on separation distances is often misinterpreted as being a strict separation distance for all wind turbines. In fact, the Scottish Planning Policy states: “A separation distance of up to 2km between areas of search and the edge of cities, towns and villages is recommended to guide developments to the most appropriate sites and to reduce visual impact, but decisions on individual developments should take into account specific local circumstances and geography. Development plans should recognise that the existence of these constraints on wind farm development does not impose a blanket restriction on development, and should be clear on the extent of constraints and the factors that should be satisfactorily addressed to enable development to take place.”
Policy and the need for onshore wind
The contribution of onshore wind to the attainment of legally binding commitments to secure the generation of energy from renewable sources by 2020 cannot be understated.
The UK, for example, has a legally binding obligation to secure the generation of 15% of all energy (including electricity, fuel and heating) from renewable sources by 2020. The exact consequences of failing to meet this obligation are not yet known, but we can be certain that there will be a cost.
In July 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a Renewable Energy Roadmap for the UK to 2020, which set out how the government expects the national target to be achieved. Renewable energy accounted for 54 TWh (3.3%) of the UK’s total energy consumption in 2010, having increased steadily since 2005 and by 15% between 2008 and 2009. However, the UK will need to see more than a four-fold increase in its renewable energy consumption by 2020 if 15% of energy needs are to be met from renewable sources.
