No new plans for onshore turbines in county with most in region

THEY PRODUCE enough electricity for tens of thousands of homes, but have also been a major source of controversy.

But a new report has revealed that this year there have been no fresh planning applications for onshore wind turbines in the East Riding – the county with the highest density of turbines in Yorkshire and the Humber.

There are now 263 turbines operating and approved, with the largest number – 71 – in the Goole and Humberhead levels, with a total estimated capacity of 408 megawatts.

The slowdown began in 2015, when then Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced that residents must be given the final say over whether applications for onshore turbines get the goahead.

A report by the council’s planning department added: “The planning service has not received any new planning applications for onshore wind turbines in 2016 and so far in 2017.

“It is clear that the changes to planning policy, along with the significant reduction in subsidies for this form of renewable energy, has had a significant impact on the roll-out.”

However, it may not sound the death knell for onshore wind as advances in technology makes the sector cheaper and more attractive to developers.

On shale gas, the council says while licences have been granted for exploration on the Yorkshire Wolds, no on site work has begun. Despite Government backing, the report says there is only “very limited” private-sector investment in the sector, which may be due to the low price of oil and gas and the USA becoming effectively self-sufficient in energy “making any significant price rises in the near future unlikely”.