Wind Energy
The effects of climate change not only pose a threat to mankind but also to the natural environment. The Stern Review, published in 2006, draws stark conclusions on the threats of climate change saying ‘the scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global response’.
The reduction in atmospheric pollution is paramount in this fight against climate change. The substitution of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, of which wind energy is a key technology, is now recognised by the UK government as a cornerstone in reducing greenhouse gases. The UK offers the best wind resource in Europe and provides an opportunity for the UK to develop clean, secure energy sources.
We must consider the sustainability of our electricity generation. Neither fossil fuels nor nuclear power are sustainable forms of fuel as their supply will eventually be exhausted. The wind, however, is a sustainable source of energy because it is feely available and will not run out. Wind farms are not the total solution; it is equally important that we pursue other new technologies such as tidal power, biomass, biofuels and solar energy. We must also review our energy consumption and increase energy efficiency.
International Agreement
The response to climate change can be seen in a series of directives, policy statements and conventions at international, European and national level. These include summits held at Rio de Janeiro, Kyoto, Cape Town and the Bali Conference held in December 2007. Following discussions with the EU in January 2008, the UK has a binding target of 15% of its energy consumption to be sourced from renewable sources by 2020. The UK has set a domestic target of reducing carbon emissions 60% by 2050 and aims to make real progress towards this by 2020.
Main UK Policies
UK Policy on climate change can be traced through a series of measures and papers including:
- The Renewables Obligation where each year electricity supply companies must buy increasing amounts of electricity from renewable sources.
- White Papers including ‘Creating a Low Carbon Economy’ (2003) and ‘Meeting the Energy Challenge (2006), which set out the government approach to renewable energy.
- The Stern Review in 2006 which highlighted the serious threat that climate change could pose to society and the need for urgent action.
- The Renewable Energy Strategy 2008 (draft), which sets out the need to achieve more than 20% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020 to balance out the inclusion of fuel and heating in the EU 2020 targets.
Offshore Sites
The government, through Crown Estates, granted 18 leases for offshore sites under round 1 of the development programme in 2000 and five wind farms were built. The tender process for a second round of larger sites began in 2003. In June 2008 The Crown Estate announced proposals for the third round of offshore leasing.
In Scotland, The Crown Estates have invited companies to enter expressions of interest for developing offshore wind farms in territorial waters, which are intended to be considered by Scottish Parliament on a case-by-case basis.
Onshore Sites
Currently, 176 projects are commissioned with a total of 2,033 turbines. This is equivalent to the electricity required to supply 1,424,027 homes, thus reducing carbon emissions by 5,755,915 tonnes per year.
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