Ministers brace amid Kwarteng's plan to DOUBLE onshore wind power

Ministers brace for storm amid Kwasi Kwarteng’s plan to DOUBLE onshore wind power

  • Kwasi Kwarteng is pushing to relax planning laws to build more wind farms
  • The Government is trying to double onshore wind power by 2030
  • Some Cabinet ministers have warned that Kwarteng is on a collision course with Tory backbenchers over the plans

Ministers are preparing for a backlash if the Government agrees on proposals to double onshore wind power by 2030.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is pushing to relax planning laws that have led to an effective moratorium on wind farms since 2015.

But some Cabinet ministers have warned that Mr Kwarteng risks putting the Government on a collision course with backbenchers over the ‘unpopular’ plan.

As well as increasing turbines, the minister has also proposed tripling the number of solar panels – but sources last night said no decisions had been made. Experts claim onshore wind farms are the only way to increase renewable energy output quickly – but MPs are gearing up to rebel against the plan, fearing a backlash from rural constituents.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is pushing to relax planning laws that have led to an effective moratorium on wind farms since 2015

Tory former energy minister Sir John Hayes said last night: ‘It would be deeply unpopular – and the Government would risk just such unpopularity – if it imposes onshore wind turbines.’

Mr Kwarteng hopes to increase onshore wind capacity from 15 gigawatts to 30GW, and increase offshore wind from 11GW to 50GW, reported The Financial Times.

It comes as the Government’s energy security strategy was delayed again this week, following Treasury concerns about the cost of a massive push for nuclear power. Boris Johnson wants to expand the nuclear sector at ‘warp speed’ in response to the Ukraine crisis. He wants the UK to generate 25 per cent of its electricity from nuclear by 2050, up from 16 per cent now.

Sources have claimed that the plan may finally be published next week.

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