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United Kingdom




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I. National statistics

Basics
Area (km²): 244.820
Population (Mio.): 62.9
Population density: 256,9

National government, economy and structure of energy sources
Governing parties: Labour; Conservative; Liberal Democrat; Scottish National; Plaid Cymru; and other small parties
GNP (Gross National Product per capita): £ 27.700
Unemployment rate (%): 4.7 (as defined by the ILO)

Fossil fuels (%): 74
Nuclear energy (%): 22
Renewable energy (%): 4

II. National status of wind energy

Accumulated number of turbines and installed capacity:

1992: 68 (22,0)
1993: 299 (106,0)
1994: 353 (130,0)
1995: 444 (175,0)
1996: 567 (245,5)
1997: 663 (296,0)
1998: 688 (311,0)
1999: 719 (331,0)
2000: 803 (394,0)
2001: 887 (458,0)
2002: 973 (546,0)
2003: 1.035 (650,0)
2004: 1.175 (891,0)

Description of the present status and future national energy policy in relation to wind energy (i.e. political objectives/ subsidy and investment policy/ economic effects/ technical or other limits/ public acceptance/ weak points)

UK Energy White Paper 2003 Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy - There are four goals: to cut UK CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050; to maintain the reliability of energy supplies; to promote competitive markets and raise the rate of sustainable economic growth; to ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated. UK Energy Act 2004 - legislation on nuclear generation; sustainable generation (off shore and on-shore); renewable obligations (financial instrument); electricity trading and transmission (includes financial instrument); special administration regime for energy licensees; and other matters. Public acceptance is mixed.

Characteristic of the most significant national wind park project:
The largest onshore wind farm in the UK became operational in spring 2005, 39 turbines with a capacity of 58.5 MW. This brings UK onshore wind generation to over 1GW. Over 800 MW are currently under construction.

Offshore activities and projects:
January 1993:Blyth Harbour (Northumberland); WindMaster 300; 9 turbines; total 2.7 MW. December 2000: Blyth Offshore; Vestas 2.0; 2 turbines; total 3.8 MW. Nov 2003: North Hoyle Offshore (off the North Wales Coast); Vestas 2.0; 30 turbines; total 60 MW. November 2004: Scroby Sands (Norfolk Coast); Vestas 2.0; 30 turbines; total 60 MW. Accumulated number of off-shore turbines: 71 turbines; installed capacity: 126.5 MW.

Share of manufacturers (%):
Vestas: 37,0
Bonus: 31,0
Mitsubishi: 8,0
Nordtank: 6,0
Nordex: 4,0
other: 14,0

III. Legal issues and national planning status related to wind energy

Relevant legal issues
Planning approval requires: environmental impact assessment; spacing between turbines in wind parks; noise; decommissioning; safety; compliance with the European Directive, Approximation of the Laws of the Member States Relating to Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (89/336/EEC); visual impact; and construction disturbance. Other legal issues include financing, licences, environmental impact assessment, heritage/archaeological impact assessment.

Description of the national wind energy planning status (i.e. national/ regional/ municipal planning conceptions/ weak points)
UK planning guidance is devolved to the regions of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are similarities and differences between the regions. Welsh Assembly Government, Technical Advice Note 8 - Renewable Energy has recently been revised; it identifies geographical areas for onshore wind development; reassures planners that the technology is proven; discusses various issues to help planners make decisions on wind installations (single or multiple turbines) including noise levels, ecology and air traffic. If the wind park is <50 MW, local planners will decide the issue with appeal to the Welsh Assembly Government if relevant. If the wind park is >50 MW, the UK Government Department of Trade and Industry will decide the matter. In England, Planning Policy Statement 22 - Renewable Energy, does not cover combined heat and power, off-shore generation, or energy from mass waste incineration but does include general principles, and regional targets. Northern Ireland planning guidance is currently under review but is currently covered by a Regional Strategy that is generally favourable towards wind energy along similar lines to the Welsh TAN 8. In Scotland, Planning Advice Note 45 advises planners on the range of renewable energy technologies (with the exception of solar, geothermal and offshore) and aims to stimulate the renewable energy industry as well as uptake of renewable energy. Advice on offshore technologies is being developed for Scottish planners.