The turbine debate rages on

At the beginning of the year, more than 100 Conservative MPs wrote to the Prime Minister urging cuts in public subsidies to onshore wind farms.

They suggested turbines were inefficient and visually unappealing.

Yet, a few days later, the world's biggest wind farm was opened in Cumbria.

Being the windiest country in Europe, it is an area of renewable energy that has a huge part to play in the UK.

The high-profile debates about the technology, from planning issues and jobs to energy security, has again characterised the onshore wind industry in 2012.

There is also the issue of maintaining the turbines and the threat of a 25 per cent cut in subsidies.

In fact, financial arguments have dominated the discussion this year.

The letter from MPs to David Cameron said: "In these financially straitened times, we think it is unwise to make consumers pay, through taxpayer subsidy, for inefficient and intermittent energy production that typifies onshore wind turbines."

Although, figures suggest turbines are proving a popular option.

RenewableUK, the trade and professional body for the wind industry, reports more than 320 onshore wind farms are operational in the UK, with 42 projects approved so far this year.

And in May, commentating on a report about the benefits of the sector, Ed Davey, secretary of state for energy and climate change, said: "Onshore wind power is a cost-effective and valuable part of the UK's diverse energy mix.

"Not only does wind power provide secure, low-carbon power to homes and businesses, it supports jobs and brings significant investment up and down the country too.

"Our policies of increasing community involvement will also help ensure the right balance between developers and community interests."

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, last year onshore wind supported more than 8,600 jobs and was worth £548 million to the UK economy.

Of this, about 1,100 jobs and £84 million of investment occur at the local authority level in which onshore wind turbines are situated.

But it is precisely in these local areas where protests exist and worries over the impact on the landscape remain.

This month, renewable energy company Infinis, which operates 12 turbines in Lissett, near Bridlington, submitted a scoping report for nine 125m turbines between Bishop Burton and Walkington.

The move has led to protests and the company has vowed to consult local residents.

And, in neighbouring Lincolnshire, county councillors recently backed new planning guidance introducing a presumption against allowing certain turbine developments.

Councillors spoke of a fightback against a "proliferation" of wind farms.

But industry bodies have previously said the projects do have support.

Responding to the MPs' letter in February, Jennifer Webber, RenewableUK's director of external affairs, said: "We know there is a huge amount of public support for wind energy.

"YouGov conducted a poll in December which showed that 56 per cent of people think we should be expanding wind power in the UK, and 60 per cent believe the Government is right to provide financial support to do so."

Meanwhile, smaller-scale, community and individual turbine projects are increasingly becoming a green energy option across the UK.

According to East Riding Council, the number of single wind turbines the authority has granted permission is getting on for 200.

Councillor Symon Fraser, planning portfolio holder for East Riding Council, said: "There has been a lot of applications and there are a lot in the pipeline. People are looking at how to control or minimise energy costs into the future.

"I would encourage people who are interested in investing in renewable energy to consider all the technologies available."