Wind Farms in the UK

In 2008 the UK became world leader in offshore wind, and given the current pipeline of projects in construction, is set to retain that position.

But, the recession has caused particular problems for the UK's offshore wind sector.

Historically high material costs combined with a falling exchange rate and the drying up of the credit market have caused the industry to

reconsider many of the assumptions used in Round 2

The future of Wind Farms

The UK Government has laid down targets that are encouraging energy companies to build 33 GW of offshore wind farms by 2020, by which time it requires to have 15% of all UK energy needs (not just electricity) supplied by renewables.

Centrica is one of the firms to have heeded this call and is investing £3billion in alternative energy, which includes a £300million offshore wind-farm under construction off the Lincolnshire coast.

An area 12 miles off the Kent and Essex coast is the proposed site of what would be one of the world’s biggest off-shore wind-farms: the London Array. If built, the development would feature 341 turbines, situated in the outer Thames Estuary between the Kentish Knock and Long Sands banks.

Proponents suggest that the Array could generate up to 1000MW of electricity – enough to satisfy the electricity demand of about 750,000 homes each year.

The project was recently thrown into doubt when Shell, one of the original backers, pulled out, citing rising steel costs, marginal operating returns and problems with the supply of wind turbines and support infrastructure (such as servicing ships).

Issues facing wind farm construction

While wind is never going to run out, current economic conditions mean realising the Government’s target will be difficult. The world price of steel has increased greatly in recent years, as has the price of turbines: suppliers such as Siemens are currently at capacity. As a result, the estimated cost of delivering the plan has increased from £40bn to £80bn.  Once built, though, the costs of electricity produced by wind farms is not dependent on global fuel markets, as would be the case to varying degrees for gas, coal and nuclear power plants.

Wind farms in the UK

As any cyclist will tell you, the UK is not short of wind. Studies suggest that we have 40% of Europe’s supply, making wind power a potentially attractive source of renewable energy, although it currently accounts for only 0.5% of electricity supplied.

The government has mandated that 10% of UK electricity should be renewable by 2010, and it is suggested that three-quarters of that would be supplied by wind-power. Much has to be done if this target is to be achieved.

Locations for wind farms

As turbines need a good, uninterrupted supply of wind to operate efficiently, they tend to be sited on remote, hilly and coastal locations – which are often greatly valued for their wildlife and undeveloped, ‘natural’ aesthetic.

In April 2008, planning permission for the UK’s largest onshore windfarm, a £500million, 181 turbine project on the Island of Lewis, was rejected by the Scottish Government due to its likely impact on birdlife.

Off-shore wind farms

Being out of sight, off-shore farms are generally better received. Turbines have been operating offshore in the UK, Denmark and Germany, for example, for several years with a good reliability record. There is some evidence to show that offshore turbines interfere with maritime radar, and this is being investigated. It is also thought that, being off-limits to fishing boats, off-shore wind-farms may act as mini-marine sanctuaries and provide safe hatcheries for some fish species.