The BWEA report states that on average across England only 50% of the renewable electricity generation will be met, with some regions such as the South West failing to reach even a third.

The report shows that overall the UK target for renewable energy will be met because both Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to outstrip their own targets.

In England and Wales, however, the BWEA report shows that a slow and ineffective local planning system is tying down windfarm planning applications for an average of 14 months, against a statutory guideline period of 16 weeks. It also shows that around a half of windfarm applications taken to appeal for refusal or non-determination are then approved, raising doubts about the ability of local planning authorities to deliver the nation's renewable energy programme.

Maria McCaffery, BWEA Chief Executive says: "The target based approach works – all it takes is the political will to deliver. In Scotland renewables targets were backed by a policy framework and decisive central Government action. As a consequence, Scotland achieved more installed capacity then it was aiming for, thus helping to improve the overall UK picture as we approach 2010. But, in England we need to think carefully on how to use the lessons learned from 2010, as we attempt to reach the binding EU wide 2020 targets."

The only part of England which has met its 2010 renewable energy targets is London, but London's overall contribution is around 2% of total nationwide renewable electricity.

The report also shows that there is enough renewable generating capacity approved, forecasting that the 10% figure will eventually be met, albeit with a significant delay. According to BWEA, this proves that in any future attempt to reach targets, decisions need to be made in a timely manner, so that there is enough renewable capacity consented on time, in order to be built on time.

"If we want to use 2010 as a dry run for 2020, timeliness and political initiative would be the two key lessons we should implement. A clear schedule of implementation backed by central Government, with a system of checks and balances as we approach 2020, will be crucial if we want to join the renewable energy revolution, and not be laggards in Europe," adds McCaffery.