§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many wind generators are working in the United Kingdom; and how many are planned to be built in the next five years. [86402]
§ Mr. WilsonThere are at present, 75 wind power schemes working in the UK, comprising of 974 turbines. (British Wind Energy Association information).
It is for developers to bring forward proposals for wind farms. The Government does not keep a register of such proposals, most of which are assessed by local authorities under the normal planning process. Only applications for consent to construct and operate wind farms with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts onshore, and greater than one megawatt off-shore, are required to be referred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
For onshore wind farm development, my Department is considering one application in England and Wales and the Scottish Executive are considering seven applications in Scotland.
Out of 20 potential offshore sites offered by the Crown Estate in April 2001, the DTI and Scottish Executive are currently considering proposals in respect of 11 sites and a further two have now been granted construction consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act.