Wind farms: Britain is 'running out of wind'

[Still Waters]

Despite the freak gales that battered parts of the country last week, climate experts are warning that many of Britain’s wind farms may soon run out of puff.

According to government figures, 13 of the past 16 months have been calmer than normal - while 2010 was the “stillest” year of the past decade.

Meteorologists believe that changes to the Atlantic jet stream could alter the pattern of winds over the next 40 years and leave much of the nation’s growing army of power-generating turbines becalmed.

The Coalition has drawn up plans to open more wind farms in an effort to meet Britain’s European Union target of providing 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.More than 3,600 turbines are expected to be installed in offshore wind farms over the next nine years.

But statistics suggest that the winds that sweep across the British Isles may be weakening. Last year, wind speeds over the UK averaged 7.8 knots (8.9mph), a fall of 20 per cent on 2008, and well below the mean for this century, which stands at 9.1 knots (10.5mph).

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[Rhino666]

ha ha ha ha That's class. That's almost a 1 fingered salute from nature to the green brigade.

[stevewinn]

Tidal power is the way forward for our Island nation.

[angi chiesa]

What a lot of nonsence is written concening production of sufficient electrical energy fro wind ,wave and solar energy,There is no way that a combination of all these methods will produce an ything near the total requirement.

For instance Crete is covered with wind farms on high hillsides where there is no shortage of wind. The population is small and there is no extensive industry. And yet 5yrs ago they built an oil powered power station.

Like it or not if Britain does not rapidly build several neuclear power stations yhere will be major power shortages.

[Bildr]

don't search far...The wind have all migrated to the east coast of Quebec (Canada) !!!!!! We didn't miss out of wind in the last days here!

[farandaway]

We have plenty of wind in Sacramento, California (probably all the politicians), USA...I'll trade you.

[Pezmo]

Like Stevewinn said, Tidal power is the best option if your concerned about environmental protection. Other than that Britain sits on top of around 200 years worth of coal. Personally the battle to create renewable energy is failing when you like at bloody China.

[Blackwhite]

Tidal power is the way forward for our Island nation.

No, it isn't. Nuclear power is the way forward. If we persist with all this silly green nonsense by the end of this decade we'll be suffering from almost weekly blackouts in our homes, like we did back in the 1970s when many of us were living by candlelight.

When it comes to nuclear power we lag behind other European countries, particularly France.

[Guest]

No, it isn't. Nuclear power is the way forward. If we persist with all this silly green nonsense by the end of this decade we'll be suffering from almost weekly blackouts in our homes, like we did back in the 1970s when many of us were living by candlelight.

When it comes to nuclear power we lag behind other European countries, particularly France.

Nuclear is not safe (look to Japan).

Nuclear is very expensive when decomissioning is accounted for and no private investor will shoulder the costs without substantial government subsidies.

Nuclear has always only been an option for its secondary role of supply strategic fissile materials to the military - there is enough stockpiled plutonium that even if that were acceptable - there is no longer a need for more supply.

The waste issue has been parked but never resolved.

Uranium is a finite resource which will peak in about 20yrs time if we all pile into using it as our main source of energy.

Nuclear is a fools dream - but a very very lucrative one for those who are promoting it.

As Steve said tidal is the only really viable and consistent enough form of energy for the UK. Wind and Solar can play a small part (about 1/4 - 1/3 of total) but have intrinsic limits.

Br Cornelius

[Trog]

I think the ocean is the answer , however , they should look for unprotected areas of coast where they have tidal surges and then build tide races, walls jutting out into the ocean to funnel the water in at speed .... Governments don't plan very far ahead and so not much ever changes , but they could still come up with new ideas to clean up coal .

[Ravinar]

No, it isn't. Nuclear power is the way forward. If we persist with all this silly green nonsense by the end of this decade we'll be suffering from almost weekly blackouts in our homes, like we did back in the 1970s when many of us were living by candlelight.

And when the global ecological sh** hits the fan you can go right back to living by candlelight along with the rest of the world. to think that any one can say what you just did in this day end age with all we know now about nuclear power is just unbelievable.

[SilverCougar]

No, it isn't. Nuclear power is the way forward. If we persist with all this silly green nonsense by the end of this decade we'll be suffering from almost weekly blackouts in our homes, like we did back in the 1970s when many of us were living by candlelight.

When it comes to nuclear power we lag behind other European countries, particularly France.

What era are you in? The 1950's? It's been shown time and time again that nuclear power is to unstable and dangerous to even count on as back up.