Wind Power

Climate change is the most serious environmental threat facing the world today and clean renewable energy sources like wind power are a significant part of the solution. Wind power is plentiful in many parts of the world, and can be harnessed safely to generate electricity, without producing any dangerous waste or unwanted by-products.

Wind energy, as part of a diverse renewable energy portfolio across the UK, can also make a valuable contribution to our national energy security and meet rising demand in a sustainable way.

Wind energy systems are among the most technologically advanced and cost-effective renewable sources currently available. Modern turbines are likely to be producing useful power for up to 85% of the year, and have a design lifespan at least 20 years. The power produced by onshore wind farms is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy available today, with the real potential for continuing technological advances to bring the costs down still further.

The UK has the largest wind resource in Europe.  Harnessing this clean, abundant energy source is essential if the UK is to reach its renewable energy target of 15% of electricity generation by 2015 - and thus meet international commitments on climate change.  Renewable energy also increases the nation’s security of supply and reduces reliance on finite fossil fuels and imports.  However, development of the industry in the UK has been hampered by controversy over the siting of wind farms, with debate often characterised by a range of myths and misconceptions about the impact of turbines. 

This briefing presents the facts - and explains why onshore wind power is essential to the UK’s energy mix and why well-designed, appropriately-sited wind farms need to be supported through theplanning process.

Wind Power is Popular

Wind power is popular: a summary of 42 polls conducted between 1990 and 2002 shows an average of 77% in favour and just 9% against.  Amongst people living near existing sites - ie those with real experience of wind farms - the results are just as positive. 

A 2003 survey for the COI of people living within 5km of an onshore wind farm in the UK found 94% saying they would approve another wind farm being developed in their area, while only 2% would resist.  A similar MORI poll of residents near 10 wind farms in Scotland found high levels of acceptance and overwhelming support for wind power, with support strongest amongst those who lived closest to the projects.

Creating jobs for the 21st century

Wind power is the world’s fastest growing energy source, averaging 30% growth per year.  Its cost is already economically comparable to nuclear power and is still falling as the technology advances.  By 2006, the global market is expected to be worth more than US$30 billion.  This is great news for jobs and economic growth - achieving 12% of the world’s electricity from wind by 2020 could create 1.79 million jobs worldwide.  The UK must not miss out.  The Renewables Obligation is already successful in stimulating growth and, with our engineering skills and huge wind resource, we are in a prime position to benefit even further. 

To reap these economic and environmental rewards, the importance of wind power must be recognised both locally and regionally and planning hurdles encountered by well-designed and appropriately sited projects must be overcome.  To do so, we need to strengthen planning guidance to remove regional inconsistencies, resolve issues over aviation and provide suitable grid capacity.