Coalition split over renewables expansion

Published on 01/11/2012 01:20

David Cameron signalled a 
debate over the future expansion of onshore wind farms yesterday, after one of his ministers infuriated Liberal Democrats by suggesting there was no need for further developments.

Conservative energy minister John Hayes earned a public rebuke from his boss, Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey, by declaring “enough is enough” and that turbines should no longer be “imposed on communities”.

The clash came after Mr Hayes was told by the Energy Secretary that his views were not compatible with government policy and should be removed from a speech he was making last night.

Instead, Mr Hayes made his remarks in an interview, criticising the way wind farms had been “peppered” around the country and saying there were plenty already in the pipeline to meet green energy targets.

“Even if a minority of what’s in the system is built, we are going to reach our 2020 target. I’m saying enough is enough.”

The Prime Minister told MPs there had been “no change” in policy on renewable energy.

“We have got a big pipeline of wind projects that are coming through,” Mr Cameron said at Prime Minister’s Questions. “We are committed to those, but all parties are going to have to have a debate about what happens once those targets are met.”