Wind in the media: latest update
The barrage of attacks on wind farms – from both the media and politicians – has reached such a pitch over the last few weeks that it’s become rather hard to keep up. Discussion has always been polarised, particularly over onshore wind. Although generally popular the technology tends to attract disapproval from people living close to wind farm developments, and sections of the media. Parts of the Tory party, meanwhile, appear increasingly entrenched in opposition.
According to the Telegraph, energy and climate change minister Ed Davey will publish a call for evidence this week on the costs of onshore wind – fulfilling a promise the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) made in July. Chancellor George Osborne has previously called for a review to assess the costs of onshore wind, and it could lead to a reduction in wind subsidies in 2014, if generation costs have changed.
Reports say Davey will also launch a call for evidence on how communities can get both a greater say in where windfarms will be placed and financial benefit from hosting them. It’s an approach that Denmark has successfully adopted. The move has received mixed press: while the Telegraph calls it “bribes for windfarms”, the Independent sees it is an attempt to lessen “hostility” toward wind turbines.
New environment minister Owen Paterson flashed his rural credentials by giving his first interview to Farmers Weekly. Asked if he is a climate skeptic – a subject that has exercised some since he took up the post – he says:
“I am clear that climate change is happening – climate change has been happening and will continue to happen. And it is quite obvious there is a man-made element to that.”
But Paterson, who is MP for North Shropshire, adds that he doesn’t think onshore wind is among the “right measures” to tackle climate change. He argues:
“There has been significant opposition in my part of the world to inland wind farms – for the sensible reason there is no wind there â?¦ From my own direct constituency experience I don’t personally think that inland wind farms are effective at reducing carbon. I don’t even think they are effective at producing energy.”
Opposition to onshore wind is not unknown in Paterson’s constituency – which may help explain his feelings on the matter. We’re not sure, however, how convincing the argument that there’s “no wind” in North Shropshire is.
Wind and politics also mix headily in another recent story. Professional contrarian James Delingpole is standing as Corby’s parliamentary candidate – on an anti-windfarm platform. Delingpole has stepped up his anti-wind rhetoric of late, promoting the claim that Wind Turbine Syndrome – a term many medical professionals remain skeptical about – is causing “thousands of people to fall sick” because they live near wind turbines.
Delingpole may have given a taste of his campaign speech rhetoric in a Telegraph piece last week, saying:
“The wind industry is so wrong in every way that to be against it ought to be no more contentious than being against paedophilia.”
Meanwhile, according to last week’s Spectator (not online), David Cameron told the new energy minister John Hayes: “I want you to deliver a win for our people on wind farms”. What that means is not exactly clear. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that the media have wrongly predicted wind policy before, so it’s probably not a good idea to treat this as gospel.
The government’s plans for expansion of renewable energy is heavily dependent on wind – and despite the barrage of media coverage, public polls remain relatively positive about the technology. But politics exists in a different sphere – and it looks like this debate is going to run.