Thousands of onshore wind turbines could go up across the WHOLE of England amid Government's push for net zero
Thousands of onshore wind turbines could go up across the country and not just in sparsely populated rural areas under a Labour government led pursuit of net zero.
A detailed study of 'potential' turbine sites in England shows just how far the move to wind power could go and the possible impact on our green and pleasant land.
Yorkshire, the North-East, North-West and parts of eastern England have the 'most renewable energy potential.'
But apart from the main urban areas around London and the home counties, Birmingham, West and South Yorkshire, Manchester and Liverpool, energy-generating turbines could pop up almost anywhere if the funds were available, research commissioned by Friends of the Earth has shown.
In reality the electrical grid and manufacturing capacity issues and infrastructure problems mean any major expansion of onshore wind is likely to take many years, even if turbo-boosted by Sir Keir Starmer's green energy drive.
A detailed study of 'potential' turbine sites in England shows just how far the move to wind power could go and the possible impact on our green and pleasant land
Yorkshire, the North-East, North-West and parts of eastern England have the 'most renewable energy potential'. Pictured: Onshore wind turbines in Dungeness
In reality the electrical grid and manufacturing capacity issues and infrastructure problems mean any major expansion of onshore wind is likely to take many years, even if turbo-boosted by Sir Keir Starmer's green energy drive
In a study published earlier this year, researchers from the University of Exeter's Environmental Intelligence Centre analysed the entire country to map where turbines could go.
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty were excluded along with land around 'heritage' sites such as listed buildings, monuments and registered parks and gardens. Land with very low wind speeds were also eliminated.
In total the study calculated there are 848 square miles in England (1.7% of all land) 'most suitable' for wind farms.
Academics calculated the potential energy capacity of each individual site – some tiny in area and suitable for one turbine and others big enough for a significant wind farm.
The data showed a 'theoretical potential' of 95,542 GWh of onshore wind energy per year. Last year the UK generated 32,440 GWh of energy from onshore wind or 11.4% of all electricity generated.
England currently has around 2,000 onshore turbines out of a UK total of 8,763.
Researchers also mapped land potentially available for solar farms. If all this 'potential' land was developed for wind and solar energy it could produced two-and-a-half times more electricity than is currently required to power all households.
In a study published earlier this year, researchers from the University of Exeter's (pictured) Environmental Intelligence Centre analysed the entire country to map where turbines could go
There has been an effective ban on onshore wind since 2015, but the lifting of planning restrictions by the new government is intended to launch a new wave of wind farms. Future turbines are also likely to be larger.
But any move to dramatically increase the number of wind turbines in the countryside is certain to meet strong opposition.
Analysis of the regional data shows Lincolnshire has the greatest potential for wind turbine energy, followed by North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
The methodology meant the study did not include the area of moorland in Calderdale currently earmarked for 65 giant turbines that could become the country's largest onshore windfarm if given the go ahead.
However, the study identified large areas of picturesque moorland countryside in the South Pennines, the open land of the Yorkshire Wolds that captivated artist David Hockney and scenic Northumberland as possible turbine hotspots that would infuriate local campaigners.
East Anglia is another unspoilt rural area that could be targeted, although the study shows fewer turbine locations across southern England.
However, Friends of the Earth admit the study is of limited use in identifying future wind farm locations as economic factors such as costs, prices and government policy will be vital influences, along with distance from a sub-station and connections to the national grid.
The data did also not include wind speed figures for each individual site – a key consideration when erecting a turbine up to 650ft high.
Paul Milner, head of policy and planning for CPRE, the countryside charity, said: 'Properly planned onshore wind has an important role to play in the urgent decarbonisation of our energy system.
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, laid out his plans for Britain's future energy independence this week
'New onshore wind developments must be strategically located away from sensitive landscapes and involve local communities in a transparent engagement process.'
Energy companies are already looking at the viability of sites.
Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: 'Our research has shown there is more than enough suitable land for windfarms across England without encroaching on protected landscapes or precious wildlife sites.
'Not only is onshore wind cheap and quick to bring online, which can ensure people are parting with less of their hard-earned cash sooner rather than later, it will also help to protect the planet for future generations.'
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said this week: 'The onshore wind ban was in place for nine years, and this government has removed it in 72 hours.
'We are wasting no time in investing in the clean homegrown energy that our country needs to lower bills and make Britain energy independent.
'We welcome investors responding to this announcement by moving forward with plans to invest in Britain's clean energy future.'
