Energy Minister John Hayes blocked plans for a wind farm near his rural home on his first day in office because he claimed it would lower the value of his property.
The DECC chief also accused renewable energy firms of being “profit hungry” and wanting to cash in on “taxpayer funded subsidies and credits”.
The Energy Minister's forthright views were revealed in planning application documents for a 6 turbine wind farm near his family home in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
The application for an initial two 126-metre turbines was rejected on the same day Hayes was appointed as minister at DECC.
He opposed the plans for the site - less than seven miles from his property – saying he shared the concerns of his constituents and listed a dozen objections, including a dip in the value of properties in the area.
Hayes claimed the size of the turbines would have a “detrimental impact on the quality of life for local residents, the attractiveness of the area and its potential for tourism”.
He also said the scheme would have a “negative impact on local house prices”.
In addition, the Energy Minister described wind turbines as being “extremely inefficient and costly” that “will always be backed up by conventional power stations because of their unreliability”.
And he repeated the myth that wind power adds “considerable cost” to household energy bills.
His outspoken views will strengthen calls for his responsibility for the renewable energy sector to be removed from his ministerial portfolio following a press briefing this week in which he claimed the English countryside was being “peppered” with turbines and threatened “enough is enough”.
A spokesman for the UK's green energy trade association, RenewableUK, described news of the fresh remarks as “very disappointing”, and added: “We would have hoped a Minister within DECC would have focused on the positives of wind energy and not the negatives.
“We are dismayed with his position but are hopeful he will understand the potential of the renewable industry in this country. If we are to see these jobs and investment realised confidence must be retained and that means consistency.”
And David Hunt, director of leading renewable company Eco Environments, commented: “If John Hayes stays in post after this revelation it shows the Government's insistence that they are the greenest government ever to be a lie of Orwellian scale.
“It is inconceivable that a man that says wind is 'extremely inefficient and costly', among other comments, is allowed to remain in post with a portfolio for renewable energy.”
Despite the planning officer recommending the project to receive approval, members of the council's planning committee rejected the application. Renewable energy company Wind Ventures has appealed the decision and a public inquiry is scheduled to be held next Spring.
In a statement, a spokesman for DECC said: “Ministerial appointments are made by the Prime Minister and are a matter for Number 10. After the reshuffle, Secretary of State took responsibility for renewables strategy as part of a wider change to portfolios that took place within the department.
“We are not aware of any specific comments John Hayes has made on wind in his constituency on 4 September. John Hayes first day at DECC was on 6th September. Since taking up his post, the Minister has underlined his support for renewables, saying that they must be part of our energy mix.”
Duncan, London around 6 months, 2 weeks ago