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Written question asked by Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party) on Monday, 27 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 November 2023 (named day). It was answered by Graham Stuart (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 November 2023 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.


Wind Power: Infrastructure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department's policy is on the decommissioning of turbines and blades.

Answer

The decommissioning of all offshore wind turbines, including blades, is a legal obligation for the owners and their plans must be approved by the Secretary of State. Full removal of all offshore renewable energy installations is the default position and installations should be designed and constructed to facilitate that.

For onshore wind turbines and blades, when a local planning authority grants planning permission this will typically include conditions for decommissioning, such as returning a site to its previous state.

In both cases, all waste should be disposed of in accordance with the waste hierarchy.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3973
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Decommissioning Infrastructure Wind power Turbines
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk