| Posted on April 8, 2011 at 9:56 AM | 
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The John Muir Trust’s recently commissioned report in to the output of wind turbines has started a major row with the industry’s trade body Scottish Renewables. The Trust’s analysis, over a two year period, seems to indicate that the wind turbines analysed do not output at the levels expected but SR responded that this was due to the last year being one of relatively low speeds.
The Trust’s report is potentially dangerous as it only analyses the turbines over a relatively short period of time. Most turbine developments are based on twenty-plus year plans to help level out any periods of high or low wind activity. The report also fails to venture any other possible options for meeting our climate change and power generation objectives.
Turbines in the wrong location are undoubtedly a blight on Scotland’s natural heritage and picturesque landscapes but to a) dismiss them so readily and b) not offer any alternatives is a blinkered approach. No turbine proponent will venture that they are the only option for the greening of our power generation – a mix of a number of energy generation sources is needed including solar, wind, marine, offshore etc. but whatever happens we will still need power. The recent tragedy in Japan illustrates the dangers of nuclear fuel and the increasing cost of fossil fuel due to unrest in the Middle East further strengthens the need for renewables and wind power will need to be a massive part of this.
It is also worth noting that traditional carbon-fuel based generation sources such as coal-fired power stations have far worse output yields compared to their potential output with up to 90% of the yield lost before it reaches the end user. The Greenpeace video above illustrates this fact.
The Trust’s report is potentially dangerous as it only analyses the turbines over a relatively short period of time. Most turbine developments are based on twenty-plus year plans to help level out any periods of high or low wind activity. The report also fails to venture any other possible options for meeting our climate change and power generation objectives.
Turbines in the wrong location are undoubtedly a blight on Scotland’s natural heritage and picturesque landscapes but to a) dismiss them so readily and b) not offer any alternatives is a blinkered approach. No turbine proponent will venture that they are the only option for the greening of our power generation – a mix of a number of energy generation sources is needed including solar, wind, marine, offshore etc. but whatever happens we will still need power. The recent tragedy in Japan illustrates the dangers of nuclear fuel and the increasing cost of fossil fuel due to unrest in the Middle East further strengthens the need for renewables and wind power will need to be a massive part of this.
