Portugal 45 UK 2

Nearly 45 percent of the electricity in Portugal’s grid will come from renewable sources this year, up from 17 percent just five years ago. In the UK we were on 1.8% in 2007.

Five years ago, the leaders of this sun-scorched, wind-swept nation reduced Portugal’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, they embarked on an array of ambitious renewable energy projects — primarily harnessing the country’s wind and hydropower, but also its sunlight and ocean waves.

In Reading we have a plan for 4 big turbines near the M4. You would think that being set in a field near a motorway there would be little cauuse for complaint.

Unfortunately a NIMBY local group HARM claims that Reading won't sleep at night, or generate enough power and the view will be spoilt. We had similar claims when they built the single turbine at GreenPark, also near the M4. Yet no one complains about this one any more, its one of the most visible turbines in the region and is a landmark. Its easy to visit and people can see and hear for themselves what impact it has on the environment. Unfortunately in their desire to keep renewables out of Reading, this group will stop at nothing, make any claim. "We are not against wind farms, but not this close to where people are living." They want turbines to be over 2 miles from any house, so there would be very few built in England.

Reading Green Party have come out in support of this scheme.
During the General Election the Labour candidate for Reading East came out in support. But the site is in Wokingham, I heard nothing from their Wokingham candidate, or local party.

Unfortunately in the past Conservatives, Labour and LibDem Councils have a poor record on alowing renewable projects to pass.

I hope all parties that say they want renewables support this scheme.

We should be aiming for 45% renewables like Portugal.