Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Smith Excerpts

Thursday 12th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

12. What recent discussions he has had on the subsidy received by wind farm operators.

[The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey)]

Throughout the renewables obligation banding review and the comprehensive review of feed-in tariffs, I have had discussions with many stakeholders and with my officials and ministerial colleagues on subsidies for wind farm generators.

[Julian Smith]

The Coates family near Skipton were recently offered a bribe of £275,000 to put one wind turbine on their farm. They also received late-night bullying calls from the company, ConEnergieKontor. This behaviour is happening right across North Yorkshire. Does the Minister agree that the only way to fix it is drastically to cut the subsidy paid to these companies?

[Mr Davey]

I do not agree with my hon. Friend’s last point, but I would say that any bullying tactics by developers are completely unacceptable, and I join him in condemning them. The wind industry generally is committed to a good standard of community consultation and to providing community benefit. If my hon. Friend would like to send me the details of what he raised with me, I will take them up with RenewableUK. I do not believe such practices are widespread or that they are a consequence of renewable subsidies, but they are unacceptable.