Greening government11.5 Opposition to wind power: democracy or NIMBYism?Renewable sources contributed just 3.6 per
cent of UK electricity generation in 2004. The
British government’s climate change strategy
has set a target of increasing this share to 10
per cent by 2010 and 15 per cent by 2015.
Wind power is expected to contribute a
significant share of that amount. It is a safe,
clean technology, producing no carbon
emissions, which uses an unlimited natural
resource, and Britain has the largest potential
for wind power in Europe. Who could be
against it? Indeed, opinion polls consistently
show that the public supports wind energy.
Yet, despite significant government
subsidies, the wind energy sector remains tiny.
In 2005, the amount of installed wind power was
1,353MW, compared to 18,428MW in Germany,
10,027MW in Spain and 3,122MW in Denmark.
This shortfall can be explained partly by local
planning decisions, often involving a planning
inquiry: between 1994 and 1998, of eighteen
wind developments that went before planning
inquiries, just two small schemes won approval
(RCEP 2000 : 216). The number of consents has
increased subsequently, with 35 projects for
733MW power approved in 2005, but 25
proposals were refused (BWEA 2006 ). Many
proposals encounter fierce local resistance
from residents and interest groups, such as the
CPRE, the RSPB and the Ramblers
Association. The main objections to wind farms
focus on perceptions of their:visual impact– they scar the countryside and
may damage tourism
noise– from the blades
ecological damage–tobirds and to habitats
expense– cost more than energy from fossil
fuels
variable efficiency– the wind does not blow all
the time
The main reason for most planning refusals is
theirvisual impact. Unfortunately, the windiest
areas of Britain that are most suitable for the
turbines are also areas of outstanding beauty –
and countryside protection is a major
environmental concern in Britain.
The slow development of the UK wind power
sector illustrates the complex relationship
between democracy and sustainable
development. The climate change strategy of
the democratically elected national government
is being undermined by the democratic
opposition of local communities. Is this an
example of self-interested ‘NIMBYism’, or does
it underline the importance of strong grassroots
democracy in protecting local environmental
and economic interests?
The British Wind Energy Association offers
counter-arguments to these objections:
http://www.bwea.com/energy/myths.html. See also
Toke ( 2002 ), Szarka ( 2004 ) and Bell et al. ( 2005 ).Critical question 4
Will increased democracy and participation improve the quality of
environmental governance?
◗ Conclusion
Since the early 1990s, spurred on by the Agenda 21 programme, governments
have begun to change the way they approach environmental issues. Most