Conventional sources of electricity include fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and nuclear fuels as well as a growing contribution from renewable sources. There is a strong international consensus that emissions from fossil fuels and human release of other greenhouse gasses are the cause of climate change.

The concern over the effects of climate change and the importance that renewable energy will play in cutting emissions is recognised in policy set by the UK government.  The Climate Change Act sets legally binding targets for the UK to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.  The UK Renewable Energy Strategy (Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2009) requires all UK electrical supply companies to source 30% or more of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 (about 117TWh).  In the short and medium term over two thirds of this growth is expected to come from wind power.

The benefits of wind energy are extensive and include the following:

• meeting increasing demand for electricity
• increased diversity of supply and therefore security of supply and price
• helping to meet UK energy target of 20% renewable generation by 2020
• reduced carbon dioxide emissions by replacing fossil fuel generation
• enforcing the UK's commitment to tackling climate change
• substantial employment opportunities