Analysis suggests England could produce 13 times more renewable energy than it currently does, using less than 3% of its land area. Guardian: Research from the University of Exeter, commissioned by Friends of the Earth (FoE), has found that onshore wind and solar projects could provide 2.5 times more electricity to every household in the UK. was suggested. Approximately 17 terawatt-hours of electricity per year is currently provided by land-based homegrown renewable energy sources. However, solar panels could provide 130TWh and onshore wind could provide 96TWh. These figures are arrived at by considering only the most suitable locations, excluding national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, premium agricultural land and heritage sites.
Some commentators have argued that solar farms will reduce the UK's ability to produce its own food, but new analysis suggests there is plenty of land that can be used without compromising agricultural production. ing. With more land now occupied by golf courses than solar farms, developers may be required to increase biodiversity through simple measures such as maintaining hedges and ponds. Onshore wind farms were effectively banned in 2015 by then Prime Minister David Cameron. Rishi Sunak claimed last year that he had moved towards lifting the ban through small changes to planning regulations, but campaigners say they are ineffective and serious planning reform is needed. No plans for new wind farms were submitted in the UK last year, and little new development has progressed despite soaring gas prices, soaring tariffs and onshore wind being the cheapest form of electricity generation. .
