Energy Minister Charles Hendry has spoken out on issues surrounding renewable energy and wind power.

The UK Energy minister has spoken about government plans for the nation’s energy mix, with some possible changes to its approach on wind power.

Speaking at Westminster Hall last week Hendry stated his support of the offshore wind power and nuclear energy initiatives already put in motion by the government.

There were also new developments regarding onshore wind, with possible new schemes to reward communities actively generating renewable energy.

Wind farms in rural areas repeatedly come under criticism from local residents who feel the turbines ruin the aesthetics of the countryside.

The government proposed a scheme to tackle opposition such as this by paying communities that allow small scale renewable power generation by solar panels and wind turbines.

Charles Hendry stated the government is to bring forward a review of the subsidies surrounding wind power generation so that they are not installed in unsuitable locations.

One such example is the misplaced 280ft wind turbine near Reading, which generated £100,000 worth of energy last year, but cost £130,000 in subsidies to run.

The reason for the turbine running at only 15% of capacity is that the area is simply not windy enough.

The government can not allow the £100bn it is planning to invest on wind power by 2020 to be used so inefficiently.