· A damning report from the conservation charity the John Muir Trust Stuart Young
the author of the report, said: ‘Over the two-
· Wind farms do not provide electricity when it is needed.
On the 21st Dec 2010, one of the coldest days 54,651Mw of electricity was needed to run the country. Wind turbines could contribute only 20 Mw, that is just 0.057%, enough for about 7,000 homes to boil a kettle of water! Similar situations were repeated on many other occasions over the winter with wind power output sinking to 10Mw. Over the 61 days in November and December 2010 wind turbines produced less than 100Mw for a total of 115 hours that’s equivalent to 4.8 days. (National Grid) Link
What the government doesn’t seem to want to understand is, if we rely on wind power, when the wind doesn’t blow it will be lights out Britain. That includes you. They favour wind power because they are highly visible and they want to be seen to be trying. Also, they can get them off the shelf without having to think.
· Only 30% efficient
The industry accepts that the load factor (output efficiency) of a turbine is at best 30% and often a lot lower. That means a site claiming an installed capacity of 12Mw is actually expected to produce only 3.6Mw. (1,200 kettles)
· Billion pound subsidies
They do not generate cheap electricity. Subsidies to the renewable generators are expected to rise to over a billion pounds a year. This cost is added to your electricity bill. (OFGEM /The Telegraph). The more turbines there are, the larger the subsidies are likely to be and the more it will cost you. Without these subsidies it is unlikely that wind turbines would exist. Link
· Paid £900,000 not to generate electricity.
Electricity cannot be stored. Wind farms operators were paid £900,000 by the National Grid to disconnect their turbines for one night because the electricity was not needed. (Renewable Energy Foundation/The Telegraph). This will occur more frequently as the number of turbines grows. Paid by you, not to generate! Does that make sense? Link
· More to come? RWE have options to erect more turbines on other sites around New Leake, Midville and Eastville and to the south of Fen Bank/Fodder Dike. Farmland investment group, Braemar UK Agricultural Land purchased 310 acres in 2008. An article in Farmers Weekly reported “It also offers the benefit of a potential wind farm site, which will, it is hoped, generate further income“ (Farmers Weekly Interactive 19 November 2008). In addition, RWE have applied for a Development Consent Order to construct up to 333 turbines off the coast of Lincolnshire and Norfolk called The Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm. These are only the sites we know about, there could be more. In their handout RWE are careful to comment on “this site” only (Wainfleet), avoiding any mention of the other potential wind farm sites they have in the area. There are new plans to erect a further six turbines at Croft, and don’t forget the eight 120m turbines planned for Sibsey! We will be surrounded!
· Property values
Property values could be affected. It has happened in the past. RWEs comment on property prices is from a report dated 2007 at the height of the property boom! The property market is very different now.
· They do not create local jobs
There might be some temporary jobs for local residents but most of the expertise will come from the construction company. When the wind farm is operational there will only be a small maintenance crew who will carry out regular visits to the site.
· Why not tidal energy ?
Tidal energy has the potential to provide a reliable source of green energy because it is predictable and guaranteed, unlike wind turbines which are dependent on the weather. Tidal Energy has a load factor of almost 80% which is equal to that of thermal power compared this to wind power‘s maximum of 30%. There are many other ways clean energy can be generated. Why are we not investing in this technology now, instead of wasting valuable time and your money on wind?
For more information and opinions click the links below.
Why the £250bn wind power industry could be the greatest scam of our age. CLICK HERE
The Budget’s green dreams will leave us powerless CLICK HERE
Lack of wind saw Scottish land-
BBC Costing The Earth CLICK HERE