MAP: Where in Norfolk could wind turbines be built?

The study by Exeter University’s Environmental Intelligence Centre and Friends of the Earth identified approximately 375,000 hectares – equivalent to 2.9pc of the country’s total land area – deemed highly suitable for new onshore wind and solar farms.

If utilised, analysis shows that the identified land could produce 2.5 times the electricity needed to power all households in England, positioning the UK as a potential green energy superpower capable of exporting globally.

A new study has identified thousands of potentially suitable sites for new wind and solar production (Image: Friends of the Earth)

In East Anglia, the study suggests we have the potential to generate more than 18,000GwH of solar and onshore wind energy, with thousands of sites identified as being fit to facilitate new farms.

And yet even with this ambitious figure in mind, the group behind the study claimed minimal land would be needed.

In Mid Suffolk, which was identified as having the largest production potential across the two counties, research suggested around 6.5pc of the district’s land would be needed in order to generate 3,617 GWh of solar and wind energy.

In King's Lynn and West Norfolk, the area with the second highest estimate, this figure was 3.6pc of land in exchange for 2,952 GWh.

The amount of energy that could be generated if sites identified as “highly suitable” for onshore solar or wind were utilised. SOURCE: Friends of the Earth (Image: Newsquest/Friends of the Earth)

But while the study highlights the region’s impressive capacity to produce clean energy onshore, harnessing that potential is fraught with challenges.

WHERE ARE ALL THE WIND FARMS?

Onshore wind farms were in effect banned in 2015 by the then prime minister, David Cameron, when he introduced rules which allowed a single objection to a wind turbine application to block its development. 

In Norfolk, there’s been ongoing opposition to new wind turbines, with the battle over two facilities between Sheringham and Holt raging for years amid local objections.

A new study has identified thousands of potentially suitable sites for new wind and solar production (Image: Newsquest)

Rishi Sunak last year claimed to make moves towards lifting the ban, through small changes to the planning regulations, but campaigners say they were ineffectual and real planning reform is needed. 

Although the decision was welcomed by Conservative MPs - including North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who believes the public perception of onshore wind projects has gone “a full 180 degrees” in the last 10 to 15 years - many people living near proposed sites remain unconvinced. 

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker (Image: Stuart Anderson (Image: Newsquest)

Their concerns primarily centre around whether these structures will devalue their properties and damage the surrounding landscape.

There is also fear that converting land into solar farms will reduce the UK’s agricultural potential, with knock-on effects on food security.

However, many in the renewables sector argue these concerns are unfounded, and that new analysis suggests there is plenty of land that can be used without impairing agricultural production. 

In fact, more land is now taken up by golf courses than solar farms, and developers can be required to enhance biodiversity through simple measures such as maintaining hedgerows and ponds.

More land is now taken up by golf courses than solar farms (Image: Michael Wicks)

A spokesman for Friends of the Earth said: “While food security is important, losing 1pc of this land to solar wouldn’t make a significant difference. 

“In addition, existing grid capacity for new renewables is often in areas of higher-grade agricultural land. 

“If we’re to build enough renewable energy quickly enough, we’re going to have to use some of this land.”

The group said it was now calling on all the main parties to commit to lifting restrictions on onshore wind farms in England; for local authorities to identify suitable areas for renewable development; for upgrades to the electricity grid to enable the vast expansion of renewable energy; and for tougher requirements on renewable developers to protect biodiversity.