Why support wind?

Click here to read why you should support wind developments near you.

Common myths about wind

Read the most common myths about wind energy here or for more: here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about wind energy.

Wind energy in cumbria

For wind energy sites in Cumbria (or elsewhere), whether built or proposed, click here for a map and list of sites.

Wind Policy

Read our policy on the development of wind energy here.

Letter to Councillors

Read our letter to councillors at all tiers across Cumbria on the development of wind energy here.

Wind Energy in Cumbria

Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.

The UK wind industry now has 4 gigawatts of installed wind energy capacity, powering over 2.3 million homes in the UK and saving 6 million tonnes of coal annually.

However, there are many claims made about wind turbines by those who oppose them and who are intent on stopping ANY development whatsoever, and it can often be difficult to separate truth from fiction.

This page was created to provide objective information about wind turbines so that people can come to a reasoned decision on whether or not they wish to support wind turbine developments near them, instead of relying on often exaggerated or imaginary claims. Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained on this page is correct and based on concrete evidence. If you believe any of the information contained on this site is incorrect please contact us regarding it.

Cumbria's Renewable Energy Targets

Wind is currently the most advanced renewable energy source, and wind energy is by far Cumbria's greatest renewable resource. Nationally the target for 2020 is to have 20% of our energy from renewable sources (the UK currently produces only 4.8%, compared with 57.9% for Austria, or 54.3% for Sweden). The Cumbrian target for 2020 is to generate 256MW (mega-watts) of energy through onshore wind power (for the North West this figure is 795MW). Note the figure for Cumbria is purely for wind and does not include any energy generated by off-shore wind farms, or from other renewable sources. Further, no wind farm developments are permitted within national park boundaries.

Cumbria currently produces 70MW from on-shore wind turbines already in operation or given planning consent - enough to power 38,848 houses. This leaves a shortfall of 186MW, though there are currently 112 active applications in the pipeline which, if given planning consent, will add to this figure . (Nationally, the UK produces 2,186MW from wind, though if you include energy due to be generated from wind farms under construction or given planning consent this rises to about 6,500MW).

Cumbria also produces 90MW from off shore wind, enough to power 50,323 homes.

Planning Policy

Cumbria has specific planning guidance on wind farms contained in the Wind Energy SPD (special planning document). This contains planning policy for wind farm applications and has been accepted by Cumbria County Council and by South Lakeland District Council (an also, I assume, for the other district councils).

The Wind Energy SPD comes in two parts, which can be downloaded here and here.

The document Wind Energy SPD gives planning officer's detailed guidance on what criteria to judge a wind farm application by. The general criteria outlined in the two documents are Visual effect, Aircraft Radar, Noise, Telecommunications and Bio-diversity and the document outlines in detail what should be considered under each criteria.

For a dynamic map of wind farms currently in planning in Cumbria (and the UK), click here.

Further Information

A good place to go for further information on wind energy is Renewable UK (formerly the British Wind Energy Association), but without doubt the best site for information about wind energy, as well as information and resources to support wind farm proposals locally, see yes2wind.