Wind Energy Planning

A new government report says there is potential for between 5000 and 7000 offshore wind turbines around the UK Coastline.

The report was commissioned by the department of Energy and Climate Change and recommends that offshore wind energy developments should minimise impacts on the tourism and fishing industries by locating new turbines at least 22km from the coast.

Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of the British Wind Energy Association said “there is enough potential for wind, wave, and tidal to supply every UK household with electricity – and then some…the industry received a powerful signal today that we are on the right track. The Government now has to act decisively to remove other obstacles hampering the growth of the wind, wave and tidal sectors”.

The significant costs and risks of building wind turbines 22km off the coast will only be taken on by investors if the grid infrastructure can be put in place cost effectively. UK energy regulator Ofgem will be managing a competitive bidding process for the grid infrastructure required with figures for contracts quoted at around $13.8 billion.

above photo copywrite Amec Borderwind

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