CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell challenged the Government over the sustainability of a rise in subsidies for wind farms.

The Government had proposed to continue a subsidy to inshore wind farms, so that companies are paid at least £100 per megawatt-hour of electricity produced, despite the market rate for electricity being less than £50 per mega-watt hour.

It equates to a subsidy of more than £1 billion a year for the industry.
But following a back-bench rebellion by Tory MPs, the Government said it would cut long-term subsidies by 25 per cent.

Mr Carswell previously spoke out against plans for five turbines at Earls Hall Farm, St Osyth, which is now the biggest onshore wind farm in Essex.

Mr Carswell said: “I think we need to get the government to recognise that it cannot continue to subsidise these turbines.

“Once the subsidy is removed, many of these turbines will cease to be viable.”

Mr Carswell questioned Michael Fallon, minister of state at the Department of Energy and Climate Change whether he saw a future for wind farms without taxpayer help.