Wind energy accounts for around 30% of the UK’s total electricity generation, thanks to the country’s strong winds and long coastline 1. Our reliance on wind energy is set to grow under the government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
This sets out ambitious targets to grow wind energy from a current installed capacity of 29GW to between 43 and 50GW by 2030 2.
Achieving these targets will bring significant benefits but there are risks that come with the use of renewables. Here we explore some of those associated with the use of wind energy and explain why there is a need for stronger standards within the sector.