Number of UK Onshore Wind Turbines?

How can there be such a discrepancy between the figures quoted in the title? The answer lies in what you call a wind turbine when doing your sums. The lower figure, most commonly quoted for reference in the wind industry, 4,400, is made up of larger wind turbines. The smaller number, over 30,000 according to new research, includes the larger turbines, but adds in the vast number of smaller wind turbines, including many for domestic and farmyard use, that generate less than 100kw of electricity. Many domestic micro-turbines are erected on the roof of the property to benefit from the green energy, while those used to power or supplement power for farms are often in fields with livestock, grain/vegetables, or those lying fallow under the EU set-aside rules.

While some UK newspapers and commentators have used this information to attack what they have called “wind farm invasion blight by stealth”, others have applauded this 13% increase in onshore wind turbine use in the UK, pointing that its popularity shows that it makes good economic sense to go for renewable wind energy, while also helping the carbon footprint. It’s also worth pointing out that the big onshore wind turbines can reach 475 feet in height, whereas these mini and microturbines will be 100 feet or less tall.

Home Wind Turbine1 Number of UK Onshore Wind Turbines?

Developers have said that they have seen a surge in interest in smaller wind turbines around the country. Information compiled by Earthmill, a specialist in farm turbines, showed a 60 percent rise in the number of “live” planning applications for small and mid-sized turbines since October, with 810 applications in the system at the end of last month.

While the Tories may complain that opposition to onshore wind turbines may cost them votes in next year’s UK general elections unless they are seen to be taking a hard line on them,  the embracing of small wind turbines, often on or close to people’s homes, shows that all the complaints about noise and environmental blight are at best exaggerated, or at worst totally untrue.

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141 turbines of 100kW or greater capacity have been installed so far this year. Earthmill said that small and mid-sized turbines were popular with farmers as they reduced their energy costs. For example, a 225kW turbine could cost up to £500,000 to install. But a farmer could however expect to recoup that cost within 10 years through a combination of subsidies, which are funded through levies on consumer energy bills, the avoided costs of buying power and additional income from selling surplus power to the grid. The subsidies could continue for a further 10 years, meaning they could expect to make a further £500,000. A 100% return in 10 years is a good return while contributing 20 years’ worth of green energy to the UK.

Jennifer Webber director trade association RenewableUK 229x3001 Number of UK Onshore Wind Turbines?
Jennifer Webber

Jennifer Webber, director of external affairs at RenewableUK, said:

“Small and medium wind turbines are a lifeline for Britain’s rural economy – research shows that 40 percent of farmers are generating much-needed income from renewables and a further 61 percent are intending to do so over the next five years, so we could soon see three out of every four farmers using renewable energy. The vast majority of the onshore wind turbines installed in the UK are micro, small and medium-sized turbines installed by people living in rural areas generating their own power and protecting themselves from the cost of having to import energy”.