Energy and Climate Change written question – answered at on 11 March 2013.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect that wind farms (a) installed on peatlands, (b) approved for construction on peatlands and (c) awaiting planning approval for construction on peatlands (i) have had to date and (ii) will have on the capacity of such peatlands to sequester carbon dioxide.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change does not hold information on the number of wind power installations installed on peatlands.
It is important to ensure that when wind turbines are constructed on peatlands, the process is managed carefully to minimise carbon losses from the soil. Applicants for consent for major energy infrastructure sited on peatland must provide assessments of potential biodiversity and geological impacts. The decision-making authority would need to take such impacts into account before making its decision.
In most cases, if managed carefully, new wind turbines constructed on peatlands from now until 2030 will still have significantly lower carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated than the UK marginal electricity mix.
Yes0 people think so
No2 people think not
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