UK defence ministry halts four windfarms over radar interference
The Ministry of Defence objected to four planned windfarms over military radar interference risks.
The MoD fears turbine blades cause problems with radars that detect military aircraft in low-flying zones. Hope Moor in County Durham is the latest case: 23 turbines reaching 200 metres high.
The MoD has also objected to three other sites in East Yorkshire, near the Scottish border, and in the Irish Sea. Usually, the MoD negotiates changes to turbine size or height rather than blocking projects outright.
But these objections put defence against the UK government's plan to double onshore wind by 2030. Labour lifted a decade-long ban on onshore wind when it came to power in 2024.
- 4
- Windfarms objected to
- 23 at 200 metres
- Hope Moor turbines
- Double capacity by 2030
- UK onshore wind target
- 2024
- Onshore wind ban lifted
Why it mattersNational security concerns are slowing the UK's shift to renewable energy, forcing difficult compromises between defence priorities and climate targets.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the UK's struggle shows how military radar concerns could constrain renewable wind expansion in other countries.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
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