Community Wind Power in Europe and in the UK

Abstract

Commercially sized community wind power schemes, whether owned by local farmers or by co-operatives, are very acceptable under the UK Renewables Obligation for a wide range of sites in the UK. Perceived ‘barriers' to such schemes include a lack of confidence and knowledge among farmers and grass-roots activists concerning wind power. By contrast knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm is spread much more widely in countries such as Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark. Nevertheless, an increasing number of community-based wind power initiatives are emerging in the UK. Greater resources on dissemination of expertise about community wind power and support for feasibility/planning costs of some flagship schemes need to be deployed by governmental and non-governmental organisations.