Energy Company Seeks Landowners for Wind Turbine Sites

A renewable energy firm has contacted landowners, urging them to permit the installation of wind turbines on their properties. Ecotricity, a company headquartered in Stroud, stated that its assessment of land in Gloucestershire indicated the county possesses the capacity for 100 new wind turbines, which, according to the company, could fulfill all of Gloucestershire’s energy requirements. Company founder Dale Vince commented, “The new government have come along and removed the ban on onshore wind and now it’s a possible thing to do.” Conversely, David Gray of Gloucestershire County Council expressed “grave concerns” regarding the potential effects on the county’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Following its assumption of power in July, the Labour party lifted an effective prohibition on new onshore wind developments that had been implemented under the previous Conservative administration. Ecotricity indicated that 100 wind turbines, each with a 4MW capacity, capable of generating 1,200 GWh, would be sufficient to satisfy the electricity consumption of all households within the county. The company is also advocating for public ownership of these turbines, asserting that this arrangement could contribute £7m annually to council finances. Ecotricity has already communicated with 60 landowners regarding this proposal and has initiated an advertising campaign to encourage additional landowners to lease their property for renewable energy initiatives. Mr. Vince stated: “It’s not been done before but it doesn’t mean it can’t happen.” He continued: “Local authorities consent windmills but we’re saying for them to go further and be part of the development process. “They can borrow money far cheaper than companies can to build these.” He added: “This is like a regional version of Great British Energy where local authorities can play their part and deliver benefits to people directly with no middlemen.” Furthermore, he remarked: “Gloucestershire is a huge untapped resource – it could lead the way. “We can create new jobs, help farmers and power the entire county all while fighting the climate crisis,” he added. Mr. Gray, who serves as the cabinet member for environment, economy, and planning at Gloucestershire County Council, commented: “I recognise that inshore wind may play a part in the transition to a low carbon economy, which GCC is committed to.” He continued: “However I have grave concerns about the impact that wind turbine development on the proposed scale in Gloucestershire would have on our landscapes, especially when so much of our beautiful county is covered by AONB.” He further stated: “Both environmentally and economically, preservation of the AONB is vital, not least because tourism plays such an important part in our local economy.” Mr. Gray concluded: “I believe a sensible approach to both decarbonising our mix of energy sources and increasing energy security is to include a role for wind, onshore and offshore, solar, and nuclear.” A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero remarked: “Onshore wind is crucial to making Britain a clean energy superpower, boosting the UK’s energy independence and protecting bill payers.”