UK highlights community benefits of hosting onshore wind farms

The British Government has made has made a fresh appeal for communities to host onshore wind farms.

Seeking information on the benefits of hosting onshore wind farms, the government is looking to gauge the accuracy of subsidies that are to be provided to communities from April 2014 for hosting onshore wind farms.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey highlighted the role of onshore wind farms in the renewable energy portfolio is secure, low carbon and affordable.

"We know that two-thirds of people support the growth of onshore wind. But far too often, host communities have seen the wind farms but not the windfall," said Davey.

The government will gather and evaluate data on role of wind farms in delivering wider environmental and social benefits to communities as part of the ongoing consultations; methods to increase local business participation in the economic supply chain for wind projects and rewards for communities hosting wind farms will also be ascertained.

"This new call for evidence will look at ways to reward host communities and ensure that wider investment, employment and social benefits are felt locally.

"We must also ensure that our policies are based on the best available evidence, so that consumers are not over-subsidising any one technology. That’s why we are seeking new evidence on the cost of onshore wind," added Davey.