PRINT THIS PAGE Onshore wind: powering ahead
26/07/2006. Source:BWEA.
Onshore wind is the leading renewable energy technology of the times, says BWEA, in their research at the end of last year to accurately forecast the delivery of onshore wind capacity in the UK by 2010. The UK in particular benefits from the best wind resource in Europe; an indigenous and free fuel supply which is not dependent on imports. Over the last three years, onshore wind build rates have doubled year on year and 2006 is no exception with 665 megawatts (MW)due to be completed by year end, twice that of 2005. With 3,000 MW already certain to be operational by 2010 from projects consented, under construction and currently operating, this report investigates how much additional capacity can progress through the planning system and be built by 2010.
In October 2005 BWEA undertook research to accurately forecast the delivery of onshore wind capacity in the UK by 2010. This research is the most robust and comprehensive ever produced about the onshore wind industry and will be used to inform Government of the contribution this sector will make to the energy mix and its significant role in meeting renewable energy and climate change targets.
The research produced a range of scenarios for onshore delivery and has concluded that the most realistic cumulative onshore wind capacity that will be delivered from operational and forecast projects is at least 6,000 MW or around 16 terawatt hours (TWh) of output by 2010,equating to nearly 5%of projected electricity supply.
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The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) is the UK’s leading renewable energy association, with over 300 company members. Formed 28 years ago, BWEA is at the forefront of the development of the UK wind industry, representing the sector to Government, business, media and the public. It expanded its mission two years ago to champion the emerging technologies of wave and tidal stream power generation. Wind energy has now started a major expansion in the UK and will be the single greatest contributor to the Government’s 10% 2010 renewable energy target and 20% 2020 renewable aspiration. Together, wind, wave and tidal power can supply 21% of the UK’s projected electricity needs by 2020, resulting in over £16bn of investment in UK plc.
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