PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has reduced plans for more onshore wind farms, which generate more than 150 megawatt-hours of electricity each year in Braintree, and almost 200 in Maldon.

While onshore wind energy is not as prominent in the Braintree district, in Maldon it ranked first in renewable energy sources in the area.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show Braintree produced 173 megawatt-hours of electricity through its 11 onshore wind turbines in 2020 – up from 141 MWh the year before and from 2014, when records began.

Among four recorded renewable energy sources, onshore wind ranked last in the area, with solar power producing the most renewable energy.

In Maldon, however, figures show the area produced 188 gigawatt-hours of electricity through its 22 onshore wind turbines in 2020. This was up from 155 GWh the year before, and the highest amount generated since 2014.

Among two recorded renewable energy sources, onshore wind ranked first in the area.

The Government’s energy strategy aims to boost new nuclear power, offshore wind, and hydrogen, but stops short of increasing onshore wind capacity.

Mr Johnson said onshore wind farms are controversial because of their visual impact, saying they “will have a very high bar to clear”, but is targeting 50 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030, up from previous commitments of 40.

“Wholesale changes” to planning regulations for onshore wind will not be introduced, the Government said, but it will instead consult with communities who wish to host the infrastructure in return for lower energy bills.

RenewableUK boss Dan McGrail and Ana Musat, head of policy at Aldersgate Group, a non-profit alliance of business leaders lobbying for a sustainable economy, urged the Government to reconsider changing onshore wind farm planning rules.

Mr McGrail said: “We need to make use of every tool in the box to boost our energy independence, so it’s right that government is looking again at planning rules so that onshore wind can proceed in parts of England where there is support, as it’s the cheapest source of new power and the quickest to build.”

Ms Musat added: “Beyond this strategy, a greater focus on deploying onshore wind as the lowest cost renewable technology and a greater emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of buildings should be key priorities for government.”