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Wind power myths blown away

Opposition to wind energy is largely based on myths that are impeding the development of this clean source of energy in Wales.

This is the conclusion of a briefing paper, ‘Wind Power: 20 Myths Blown Away’[1], to be launched by Friends of the Earth Cymru on Saturday morning (10th May) at its national conference. The paper has won the backing of Wales’ Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, who will be addressing the conference.

To allow Welsh environmentalists to make up their own minds about the impact of wind farms on the landscape, the conference will include a visit to Mynydd Clogau windfarm in Powys.    

Jane Davidson said:

"I’m pleased to support Friends of the Earth Cymru’s briefing paper, ‘Wind Power: 20 Myths Blown Away’. It’s important that the decisions we make are evidence based. I believe that this briefing paper has an important role to play, as it aims to correct some of the misinformation that has so often been a feature of the debate around wind energy.

"Climate change is the biggest challenge we face. If Wales is to play its part in meeting this challenge, we have to utilise our abundant resources of renewable energy. Wind energy is the most advanced and cost-effective of the renewable technologies, and the Welsh Assembly Government recognises the significant contribution it can make towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions."

Friends of the Earth Cymru Director, Gordon James, said:

"We have to break free from our dependence on oil, coal and gas to meet our energy needs. It’s the emissions from these fuels that are the main cause of climate change.

"In Wales, power stations are the largest single source of climate-changing gases, and these emissions are set to increase. Current proposals for wind energy in Wales could generate a quarter of our demand for electricity within a few years.

“Wind energy is one of the cleanest, safest and most cost-effective forms of energy available. The fuel is free and will never run out, and there are no waste products or pollution produced. It is technologically the most advanced of the renewable energy options available and can deliver much-needed cuts in carbon dioxide emissions now.

"Even though wind power has much to offer, a vocal minority raise all sorts of objections against it. A closer look at these objections shows they have little merit.”

Most of the frequently heard arguments against wind power are addressed in the paper. Examples include:

• Wind energy produces little power - In May 2008, there were 1988 wind turbines in the UK generating the electricity needed for 1,379,127 homes.
• Wind farms are unpopular - The Sustainable Development Commission assessed more than 50 public opinion surveys carried out since 1991 and found that 80% of people were in favour of wind farms and 20% against.
• Wind turbines are taking over the countryside - As a result of the Assembly Government's Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 planning policy, future wind farms in Wales will be mostly restricted to areas amounting to  just 0.68 per cent of the land area of Wales.
• Wind farms harm property prices - A report by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Oxford Brookes University (May 2007) found no clear relationship between property prices and the proximity of wind farms.

Notes

1. For a summary, and to download the full briefing, go to:
   English:  www.foe.co.uk/cymru/english/news/wind_myths.html
   Cymraeg: www.foe.co.uk/cymru/cymraeg/newyddion/myth_gwynt.html