Support renewable energy projects

Wind

Renewable projects are sometimes blocked by local opposition. You can make a big difference to their chances of success by lending your support.

New Briefing: 'Supporting Renewable Energy Projects'

Essential advice on how to get involved and help your local project through the planning system.

Want to support a project near you?

We can help you get active and get the message to the right people.

Examples of the way we have previously helped support local campaigns are:

Hosting a webpage in support of a project. It can be a useful tool to communicate your campaign and target your local decision makers. See current press for change examples here.
Emailing local Friends of the Earth supporters to tell them about the campaign. See an example special Enews edition.
A mailing to nearby Friends of the Earth supporters on behalf of the local Friends of the Earth group.

To discuss these ideas get in touch with Nick Rau, Friends of the Earth's Renewables Campaigner by email or call 020 7566 1714.

Please bear in mind that we can't guarantee our support for every project. We recommend you read our Supporting Renewable Energy Projects briefing and thoroughly assess the project first.

Want to set up your own renewable energy project?

Check out a case study of the first community-owned hydro power scheme in the UK in New Mills, Derbyshire, established with the help of High Peak Friends of the Earth.

Energy4all have also produced a step-by-step guide for communities who want to build their own wind farm. It addresses all the practical aspects of identifying potential sites and key issues of concern.

Renewables East Power Pack
A guide to renewable energy and your community.

Produced for the East of England this great pack can be used universally.includes a score sheet to assess how suitable renewable energy might be for your situation.

Campaigning materials:

To order copies of the materials below please contact Tom Wright (020 7566 1673).

Renewables booklet

New Renewable energy: your questions answered
New for October 2008. This booklet describes the mix of renewable energy technologies that can take us to our 2020 targets and beyond

A Bright Future
Friends of the Earth's technical report showing how renewables and CHP could meet up to 65% of UK electricity demand by 2020. A handy reference to counter the critics.

Wind Power: your questions answered
Hugely popular booklet making the case for windpower, and answering some of the most common questions. Updated in 2007.

Wind Power in the UK DVD
A comprehensive and very watchable overview. A great educational resource to send to councillors and other decision makers. Available free from Friends of the Earth.

Wind Power in the UK
A detailed technical assessment of the case for wind power.

Online resources and information

Yes2wind website
Practical advice on how to support wind power (though the tools and tactics can be used to support any technology). Includes discussion groups and an interactive map of proposed and existing wind farms.

RESTATS renewables database
Information on the status of renewable projects across all technologies, for the whole of the UK. Includes proposed and commissioned projects. The site has an interactive map, lists planning status and gives in-depth project details such as landscape designation.

Planning Renewables Energy News
An excellent one-stop-shop for information on renewable energy policy, renewable technologies, and planning tools. Also offers a subscription to regular planning updates.

Public Engagement Protocol for Wind Energy Development
A report produced for the Renewables Advisory Board and the Government - on how to engage the public when planning new wind farms.

Delivering Community Benefits from Wind Energy Development: A Toolkit
Part of the same suite of materials produced for the Renewables Advisory Board and the Government - on how to deliver community engagements with wind farm developments.

Key planning documents

PPS1 Supplement: Planning and Climate Change
Important new planning guidance.

PPS 22 Planning for Renewable Energy Companion Guide
Practical advice on how renewable planning policy should be implemented, with a technical section covering a whole range of renewable energy technologies.

To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.