Cornish wind farm hits 25th anniversary and is set for the next 25

The development of renewable wind energy is gearing up for another big boost as offshore wind farms are developed in the North Sea. But the drive to greener energy sources started 25 years ago for one village in Cornwall.

The motives for supporting the construction of wind turbines near your home can be varied.

At the most personal scale, it means income for the farmer on whose land they sit; financial donations by the energy company to the nearby village - the views from which may be affected; a more-preferred option by those who want the lights to stay on but don't want any more nuclear power; to those with global concerns and a keen interest in seeing carbon-reduction through renewable energy-generation choices.

The Cornish village in this Guardian article has been living with its turbines for a quarter of a century, and while the turbines themselves have recently been replaced with more modern and efficient versions, there is no reason to believe they won't notch up another 25 years.

This National Grid website (data from Elexon portal and Sheffield University) shows a live view of electricity generation in the UK and the contribution from various generating sources - both non-renewable and renewable (including imports via inter-connectors from abroad - places such as Ireland, France and the Netherlands).

While the contribution from coal has seen a steep decline, the contribution from wind has risen significantly over the last decade, and is due to increase yet further as new offshore developments are completed.