the wind farm folly source: the eu has ordered the uk to build up to 32,000 wind turbines over the
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The Wind Farm Folly
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/targets_en.htm
The EU has ordered the UK to build up to 32,000 wind turbines over the next 20 years, of which at least 6,000 to be onshore.
Save the Planet?
Do wind turbines eliminate CO2 emissions?
No. Their construction and manufacture releases much CO2 as they are anchored in concrete containing cement, and access roads are needed to transport heavy construction machinery to the site, which is often very remote. On average about 500kg of CO2 are released for every 1000kg of cement.
Will they help stop climate change?
No. The government estimates that 9.2 million tons of carbon were saved by wind turbines in 2010. Even if true, this is just 0.03% of global emissions and makes no meaningful contribution to ‘saving the planet’.
Source: http://www.europesillwind.org/wind-faq
Replace power stations?
Can wind farms replace conventional power stations?
No. Wind farms do not produce a reliable supply of power so a constant back up from conventional sources is required. So our 76GW of conventional supply must be augmented by the Installed Capacity of wind power generation. If we are aiming for 40% of this as renewables we have to build an extra 30GW, probably gas-fired, so we end up with a fleet of 106GW. Without renewables we can preserve the 76GW and meet ALL UK Demand in the modern competitive world.
Source: http://www.europesillwind.org/wind-faq
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Damage the Environment
Source: http://www.aweo.org/problemwithwind.html
Destroy the scenery
Wind turbines are often
sited on high ground to catch
the wind – so ruining the viewDestroy birds
The average wind turbine kills 25 - 125 birds a yearPrevent a good night’s sleep
Turbine sound is projected outwards so that, further away, the sound can be as loud as a motorcycle: like aircraft continually passing overhead or a "brick wrapped in a towel turning in a tumble drier”.
Low efficiency – astronomical cost
Source: UKIP booklet - Fighting Wind Farms
Low efficiency
Because of variable winds, the average wind turbine only produces 28% of its installed capacity.
Need for backup
Wind turbines are backed up by conventional power stations; we pay twice for the same volume of electricity.
Massive subsidies
Between 2002 and 2010, the UK gave £5.6 billion in subsidies to the wind energy sector
Who Benefits? Follow the Money
Source: The Telegraph, 21 August 2011
Selected Land ownersNumber of turbines
Annual income - £
Landowner Energy co. Subsidy
Duke of Gloucester 5 75,000 2,956,500 1,478,250
Jeremy Dearden 5 75,000 3,357,800 1,773,900
Sir Reginald Sheffield 8 120,000 3,483,700 1,741,850
Earl of Seafield 8 120,000 4,056,900 2,028,450
Duke of Argyll 9 135,000 2,292,500 1,146,250
Earl Spencer 13 195,000 6,149,520 3,074,760
Duke of Beaufort 19 285,000 13,160,000 6,580,000
Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming 29 435,000 18,448,560 9,224,280
Duke of Roxburghe 48 720,000 34,058,880 17,029,440
£1,000,000,000The subsidy paid to wind energy operators in 2010
Who Benefits? Follow the Money
Source: Various
Supplier Owned by Of
EDF Electricité de France France
Southern Electric SSE plc UK
British Gas/Scottish Gas Centrica UK
Scottish Power Iberdrola Spain
E.ON E.ON AG Germany
nPower RWE Germany
Main UK electricity suppliers
Who Benefits? Follow the Money
Source: Wikipedia
Wind turbine manufacturers
Who Pays?
Source: UKIP booklet - Fighting Wind Farms
Higher prices
The Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROCs) and Feed-in Tariff (FIT) schemes force energy suppliers to buy electricity produced from renewable sources at above market cost (£50 per megawatt-hour, compared to £15 for conventional power). Theses costs are then passed on to British consumers in the form of higher prices.
More families facing fuel poverty
Because of higher prices, up to 8 million households now face ‘fuel poverty’ (unable to pay their fuel bills)
BRITISH FAMILIES!
Who is behind Wind Farms?
The UK government has no choice!
They have to obey this EU DirectiveEnergy companies and developers
They are worth billions to the wealthyLandowners
They are a licence to print money
Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy sets ambitious targets for all Member States, such that the EU will reach a 20% share of energy from renewable sources
by 2020.
Why UKIP is opposed to Wind Farms
They don’t work
Won’t ‘Save the Planet’They cost consumers a lot of money
Which goes to wealthy landowners & energy companies
They ruin the countryside
Spoil the scenery, produce annoying noise, kill birds