More onshore wind farms could be built across England under a potential new Downing Street policy that aims to soften planning rules.
As part of a new push to produce more energy in the UK, partly to reduce the dependence on Russia, the government has promised next week to lay out its plans.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to reverse planning reforms instigated in 2015 that required onshore wind turbines to be part of a local plan supported by local council authorities, the Telegraph reported.
The Labour Party has called on the government to overturn these rules, which they say have effectively created a "moratorium" preventing new onshore wind developments.
But while at least 135 sites are currently approved but awaiting construction, with another 50 awaiting planning permission, the PM faces objection from some of his Cabinet, the BBC and Telegraph both reported.
Hundreds of onshore wind projects around England that had been rejected by local planners could now revived if the rules are changed, it was suggested.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told reporters: “We are not saying we are going to scrap all planning rules and all of these things have got to be in line with community support.”
There are currently over 25 gigawatts (GW) of operating UK wind farms, of which 14GW is onshore and 11GW offshore, with the secondary market for operating UK wind farms worth over £80bn.
FTSE 250-listed Greencoat UK Wind PLC (LSE:UKW) is one of the London-listed companies focused on wind energy and had a 5% market share at the end of last year.
Overseas-based wind companies that also operate in the UK include Ørsted, which owns two of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, both based in the UK; plus wind turbines suppliers Vestas Wind Systems and General Electric; and TPI Composites, a maker of wind blades and other equipment.