Planning
Small wind energy installations require planning permission and local consultation with relevant stakeholders, such as neighbours. Deciding factors include environmental considerations, access to the site, noise and visual effect. Overall, national planning policies support the development of small scale wind energy, as noted below.
Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) sets out a clear national policy framework on renewable energy for planning authorities in England to ensure that the Government's renewable energy targets are met. Under PPS22 regional and Local Planning Authorities should recognise the full range of renewable energy sources, their differing characteristics, locational requirements and the potential for exploiting them subject to appropriate environmental safeguards. Small scale developments can also be permitted within areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coasts provided that there is no serious environmental detriment to the area concerned. PPS22 introduces a new policy area for small systems by encouraging Local Planning Authorities to require that new developments should supply a percentage of their energy needs from from onsite renewable energy sources.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has specific guidance on location of wind farms in Scotland, which is contained in their policy statement Strategic Locational Guidance for onshore wind farms in respect of the natural heritage to be read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Guidelines on renewable energy (NPPG6). Paragraph 7 deals specifically with smaller wind turbines and states that the special rules required for wind farms do not apply to small scale wind turbines: "The guidance only applies to the consideration of onshore wind farms, and it excludes small wind developments of a domestic or small business scale, typically single turbines of under 50kW capacity, which may be accommodated satisfactorily in most landscapes and in relation to which strategic guidance of this sort is unnecessary."
Small Wind System Grants
Where to find funding for your wind turbine
There are several grant schemes which offer funding to small scale renewables, particularly for the domestic and community sector.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP)
The Government's Clear Skies funding programme was replaced by the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in April 2006. The new programme is managed by the Energy Saving Trust and offers grants for domestic, community and larger microgeneration installations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In November 2005, the Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks MP announced £30 million of funding over 3 years for the LCBP. In March 2006's budget statement, it was announced that there would be a further £50 million for the programme. Of the £30 million budget, £1.5 million was carried forward to ease the transition between the PV and Clear Skies programmes. Under the LCBP there are two streams of funding available, Stream 1 and Stream 2. The outline of the different funding options are listed below.
Stream 1 offers grants for householders and small to medium enterprises to install microgeneration on small buildings, as well as for non-profit community organisations such as registered charities, community groups, local authorities and schools to install microgeneration on community buildings.
The level of grants offered for wind energy under Stream 1 are:
•For individual householders & small businesses a maximum of £1,000 per kW installed, up to a maximum of £2,500 subject to an overall 30% limit of the installed cost (exclusive of VAT).
•For community applications, grants will be up to 50% of the capital and installation cost of the microgeneration technologies installed and is currently set at a maximum of £50,000. These grants will be awarded competitively.
Stream 2 offers grants for large projects from non-profit community organisations as above plus businesses, building developers, energy services companies, and the public sector to install microgeneration on large-scale building projects.
The level of grants offered for wind energy under Stream 2 are:
•Category 1 – for large retrofit projects grants will be up to £100,000 per project.
•Category 2 – for major refurbishment and new build projects grants will be available of up to £1 million per project.
For more information on the LCBP and how to apply for a grant, visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.org or call the free phone helpline on 0800 915 7722.
Scotland
Grants are available for those living in Scotland through the Scottish Community and Household Renewables Initiative.
See also a report from 1998 on financial viability of wind energy for farms and rural businesses. Some of the support mechanisms have changed, but it's still full of useful information.
