Government departments are arguing over the expansion of onshore wind posing a risk to our defence.
The Ministry of Defence has raised issues with DESNZs’ plans for onshore wind over a number of years – including four in the past year alone. Most recently, they raised concerns in June over plans for an onshore windfarm in County Durham which they say could result in aircraft “not being detected” within an RAF Low Flying Area.
The government has previously stated that moving blades can look like aircraft, as radar detects reflected radio waves from objects. They also confirmed that turbines can obscure smaller targets as strong reflections from wind turbines can overwhelm weaker signals, making it harder for radar to detect aircraft in affected areas.
The government’s Onshore Wind Taskforce strategy cited a 2023 industry survey estimating that around 2GW of onshore wind projects had faced, or were expected to face, MoD objections over interference with military air traffic control radar.
A DESNZ spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Ministry of Defence. All onshore wind projects are subject to a rigorous planning process in which defence and security, the views of the local community and impacts on the environment are considered.”
The MoD has continued to oppose projects this year, despite a £95m contract with BAE Systems for advanced air-defence radar technology designed to reduce interference from offshore wind turbines. This contract was signed earlier this year.
With the wider UK government aiming to double the UK’s onshore wind by 2030, the departments must reach a long-term solution or agreement to allow planning to go ahead without internal delays.
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