Wind Energy Planning

UK Energy Secretary Chris Hulne has reinforced the message that there will be no government cash for new nuclear power stations in an interview with The Telegraph this week.

The Lib Dems have always been opposed to Nuclear and energy department cuts of over 25% make it easy for Hulne to stand by his position.

Hulne instead highlighted government support for more onshore and offshore wind turbines, saying that wind energy is incredibly competitive in producing green electricity.

The Energy Secretary claims that there is enormous potential for expansion of wind at Dogger Bank, off the north east coast of England in what he describes as a ’shallow’ area where it is ‘relatively cheap’ to put turbines.

Hulne could be in for a surprise when he realises that a project in a hostile location this far from shore (Dogger Bank is in fact almost half way to the Netherlands Denmark and in water depths of up to 63m) is a brave new world when it comes to wind energy financing. Taking the plunge and building a project in this location is likely to give investors more than wobbly legs. It is rumoured that an offshore airstrip for the wind farm could even be required…

Despite the risks involved in the Dogger Bank project, there can be no doubt that if the project developers Forewind and the government succeed, it will be a huge boost to UK green energy commitments. The area has the potential to supply 9 Gigawatts of electricity which is equivalent to 10% of the UK’s electricity needs.