Wind farms blighting the landscape
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain's big increase in wind turbines is proving a blight on the landscape, a report by a countryside organisation claims. Developers are exaggerating the output of the new "green" power stations which are being allowed to proliferate with little control, says the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.
It calls for much tougher scrutiny by local councils before turbine schemes are granted planning permission, saying thatdespite claims by wind power companies, stations are producing only about 25 per cent of their potential. A huge number will be needed to make any real contribution towards reducing atmospheric pollution.
The CPRW lists 30 "wind farms" in Britain, consisting of 643 turbines.
The installed capacity of a typical machine has doubled from 300kW in 1992 to 600kW in 1996, with an increase in overall height from just over 130ft (40m) to 200ft and more (60m).
Almost half the total capacity is in Wales. In England, locations have either been coastal (Cornwall and Cumbria) or on rolling moorland, as in the Pennines. Applicants for new sites are now targeting the Scottish Highlands, says the CPRW.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments