That the industry has relied so heavily on subsidy is its biggest problem. Wind could not have flourished without the generous support of the public, who have paid both to build the turbines and to use them. All of this has been justified by the political class’s obsession with establishing a carbon-free economy.

A more efficient future lies with a mix of energy sources that include nuclear and fracking. Everybody wants to preserve the environment and green technologies can have a part to play. But they are not a panacea and, in the case of wind, can be more trouble than they are worth. The Tories would be wise to stick to their 2015 manifesto commitment to “halt the spread of subsidised onshore wind farms”.