Bribe Nimbys with micro-generation revenue

Energy Minister Charles Hendry has hit on an age-old solution to the fairly recent problem of Nimby local councils blocking the development of small-scale onshore wind farms – bribery.

While the planning rules have been changed to prevent local authorities from blocking the building of very large strategic wind assets, plants with generating capacity below 50MW remain at the mercy of local planning departments. In rural areas where smaller wind farms have been proposed, local councils have frequently shown a preference for saving the view – and maintaining house prices – than averting climate change.

But repealing the rules under the 1976 Local Government Act that prevent local authorities from selling electrical power back to the grid – as was proposed earlier this month – will enable local councils to reap financial rewards from local micro-generation projects.

“Local ownership of wind turbines [and the revenue from them] will help local councils see the benefit of wind farms,” said Hendry.

Speaking ahead of consultation on micro generation earlier this month, climate change minister Greg Barker said he wanted to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy.

"By becoming more self-sufficient we can create sustainable local-energy economies," he said.

"People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon. I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust."

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said that about 100,000 homes and businesses have deployed micro-generation technologies, but repeated studies have shown that there is the potential to dramatically increase the levels of energy provided by smaller-scale energy systems.