Prime Minister David Cameron may include a pledge to limit the number of onshore wind turbines that can be built in the Conservative’s next election manifesto.

Rumours spread today after a senior Tory source told the Guardian newspaper that Mr Cameron is “of one mind” with party members opposed to onshore wind farms.

The source suggested this could be done through a cap on onshore turbines’ output, dropping subsidies or with tougher planning restrictions.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party told ELN the Guardian article had been “wildly overspun”.

But that hasn’t dimmed the confusion of wind power businesses baffled by the apparent plans.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of trade body Scottish Renewables said: “In Scotland alone the industry supports almost 3,400 jobs, with many more dependent on the sector… These types of rumours undermine confidence in the industry and put future investments in all forms of renewable energy at risk.”

Renewable energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Alasdair Cameron said: “Instead of trying to appease a minority of his party, Cameron should be formulating a national energy policy that balances security, cost and decarbonisation.”

The furore comes a day after Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg blocked a Conservative plan to cap onshore wind generation.

The Lib Dem party said yesterday it would have been “wrong” of the Tories to create a “crude block” for onshore wind.