New report demolishes anti-wind argument

7 July 2009

Britain's energy system is already capable of taking a large amount of wind power, according to a new report released today by a leading energy expert.

Report author David Milborrow, who has 30 years experience in the energy field, concludes that there is no technical reason why a significant amount of energy generated by wind cannot be used to supply the National Grid.

Opponents of wind energy frequently claim that the variability of wind power makes it too unreliable to form a large part of the UK's energy mix without significant back-up from conventional fossil, nuclear or gas power stations.

But this claim is rubbished by the new report, which finds that wind power does not in fact need large amounts of extra conventional energy back-up and, while the instant loss of a large conventional power station is a real risk, it is extremely unlikely that the same amount of wind will disappear instantaneously.

Other key findings include:

o The National Grid is more than able to manage the variable input created by wind power as it is already designed to manage fluctuations in demand and supply - variations in wind power are considerably less than variations in consumer demand, which can vary on an hourly basis according to the weather, rush hour and even TV scheduling.

o There are no significant costs associated with managing variability - if the UK meets it renewable energy targets and within this provides 32 per cent of our electricity from wind by 2020, it will add just £2 to every £100 spent by consumers.

o New technology would reduce this slight increase in price even more, and would reduce the need for fossil fuel station backup - technologies already exist that can help manage the variability of wind energy and reduce associated costs. More accurate wind forecasting could help reduce these costs by as much as 30 per cent.

o Wind power will provide significant job opportunities in the UK - there are already 400,000 people working in the wind energy sector worldwide and this could reach 1 million by the end of the decade.

Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, RSPB and WWF, who jointly commissioned the report, are now calling on the UK Government to listen to the experts and provide the incentives and funding to boost investment in wind power.

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

"The claim that renewable power cannot deliver a big portion of our energy needs is dead and buried. This report should be the impetus for the UK and Welsh Assembly Governments to redouble their efforts to put renewable and energy efficiency at the heart of their energy policies.

"We are still close to the bottom of the renewable energy league table in Europe. This has to change, and quickly. Wales has the potential to generate significant amounts of renewable energy and make a major contribution to moving the UK towards a low carbon economy."

Chris Bennett, National Grid's Future Transmission Networks Manager, said:

"We welcome this report and the way that it highlights the implications of integrating wind into our electricity network. The report complements the consultation document that National Grid issued in June, which highlighted the different solutions available to ensure a safe, secure and economic supply of electricity is maintained."

Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru, said:

"Britain is not short of the renewable resources, or the engineers and technological know-how to create a sustainable, zero carbon power sector. We have a fantastic opportunity now to transform the UK electricity network with many old coal and nuclear plants retiring over the next 10 years or so. What we lack is the market framework to make the clean energy revolution a reality.

"Once again real leadership is coming from the devolved administrations. The Welsh Assembly Government has already committed to produce more electricity from renewables than we consume as a nation within 20 years - we must all get behind this target now to make it a reality."

Katie-jo Luxton, Head of Conservation Policy at RSPB Cymru, said:

"Left unchecked, climate change threatens many species with extinction, and risks destroying ecosystems such as tropical forests, upon which we all depend for our survival. This report shows that sensitively located wind power, which avoids impacts on the important wildlife and the natural environment, can provide a secure, low-carbon and sustainable source of power for the future."

Louise Hutchins, energy solutions campaigner at Greenpeace, said:

"This report scuppers the final arguments against wind power. The government must now get cracking and make the most of the energy that wind will provide to the country.

"And wind won't just generate energy for Britain, it will also generate thousands of jobs for Britain."

David Milborrow said:

"Utilities worldwide generally agree that there is no fundamental technical reason why high proportions of wind cannot be assimilated without the lights going out."

For more information, a full copy of the report or a summary, contact Friends of the Earth on 029 2022 9577