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Facts About Wind Power

Source: Friends of Eden, Lake District and Lunesdale Scenery (FELLS)

Wind turbines cannot generate electricity if the wind is too light or too strong. The two power stations at Heysham produce 2400 megawatts (MW). It would take 960 x 2.5 MW turbines running 24 hours a day for 7 days a week to match that. Because wind turbines only produce about 30% of their full capacity (i.e. 1 day in 3) we still could not close Heysham.

Wind energy is not free. The product cannot be stored and feeding it into the national grid is complex and costly - a bill ultimately paid by the consumer.

All wind turbines need reliable back-up to maintain uninterrupted supplies to the national grid when the wind is not blowing. These have to be available at short notice, which means running, which means burning fossil fuel. So any reduction in CO 2 emissions derived from wind energy is minute, unless nuclear power is the chosen alternative. Any number of windfarms cannot replace a single conventional power station without precipitating blackouts.

Developers claim their turbines will last 20-25 years. Those at Caton Moor (Lancs), Ovenden (Yorks) and Cold Northcote (Cornwall), and two in Wales have been replaced after just 9-12 years - naturally with even larger turbines.

The rush for onshore windfarms is wholly in pursuit of profit. It is acknowledged both inside and outside the wind industry that offshore installations are more efficient, but at least 30% more expensive to build. Developers can cut their costs building onshore. But there is still a cost penalty for the local community - a risk of reduced tourism, consequent job losses and falling property values.