Focus on Energy & Renewables: Wind Power - Is it all at sea?

Mon 8 Jun 2009

There are currently over 200 on-shore wind farms in operation in the UK consisting of over 2500 turbines, with further large scale projects planned*. 80% of us surveyed agreed wind farms were agreeable, attractive and welcomed across the UK both on and off-shore**.

It seems therefore this industry has a strong future. But with a government target of 20% energy from renewable sources by 2020 one question being asked is “how much of this can we reasonably expect from wind-power”?

With much of the coastline already well stocked with turbines is the future off-shore, despite the relatively higher costs versus onshore projects?

There are just 9 off-shore farms currently in operation, supporting just over 200 turbines. But this is all set to change. With a further 10 projects under construction and 8 more recently approved, perhaps most notably “London Array” in the Thames estuary with a planned 271 turbines and in the Irish sea with a 160 turbines now under construction the future home for wind turbines appears to be literally at sea.

It ‘s hailed by some that ALL of the 20% target of renewable energy provision could come from wind power. Furthermore, some speculate that nearer 50% would be possible if only our National Grid could cope with the fluctuations in electricity provision due to the typical 30% efficiency of turbines when accounting for non-windy days.

So, will wind power blow the competition away or should we expect a similar growth in the wave, tidal, solar, nuclear and biomass industries – all of which incidentally claim a potential 20% contribution ?

So, where would your money go?