RenewableUK Wind Energy Charter

The RenewableUK Wind Energy Charter sets out the intentions of the UK wind energy industry, the benefits it will bring to the UK and how it will regenerate our economy and underpin our future growth.

The wind energy industry of the United Kingdom will provide investment and jobs where they are most needed, energy security at a time when it is most critical and deliver affordable, clean and totally sustainable electricity for all.

1. To invest in the prosperity and energy security of the UK

We intend to invest many billions of pounds in the UK economy building onshore and offshore wind farms, developing new manufacturing facilities, upgrading UK ports into energy hubs and creating Research & Development and training facilities all around the UK. This investment will revitalise communities across the country and increase the secure availability of affordable, domestic power, thereby reducing the UK’s reliance on expensive, imported fuels.

• The wind industry is already investing £5bn in the UK economy this year, with projects in the pipeline out to 2020 worth a further £50bn.
• Wind energy currently provides enough clean, secure energy to power nearly 5 million homes in the UK. This is set to increase to 17 million by 2020
• Recent Ofgem figures confirm that investment in building the UK’s wind energy capability costs the average household just 2p per day.

2. To provide financial security for families by creating tens of thousands of long-term jobs

We aim to create thousands of UK based jobs across a wide range of business sectors. Companies large and small will benefit as investment in engineering, manufacturing and training accelerates and extends from wind energy into associated industries including land and sea transport.

• The wind energy industry has already created nearly 12,000 jobs in the UK and is set to employ up to 90,000 people by 2020.
• The UK’s wind energy industry is a primary investor in technical training and is supporting a growing number of initiatives to attract young people into the energy sector, contributing to tackling youth unemployment.

3. To provide clean, safe and affordable energy that will power the UK today and for future generations

We are firmly committed to reducing the cost of wind energy over time and to cement its role as a vital part of the UK’s energy mix. In doing so we will help protect consumers from fluctuating global energy prices and increasing dependency on imported fossil fuels. These measures will also reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.

• Through investment and innovation the industry has more than halved the cost of wind energy over the last 30 years. We will continue to drive down costs through economies of scale, technological innovation and the sharing of best practice to maximise value for money for all electricity consumers.
• Wind energy is reducing the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 7 million tonnes every year, equivalent to taking 1,750,000 cars off the road.