Is the answer blowing in the wind? – The London Array
January 17, 2007 at 9:55 am
Energy is a hot topic these days; there is an ongoing and escalating debate as to how this country’s substantial requirement for power should be met. There is a consensus of sorts that fossil fuels cannot be relied upon in the future. Apart from the well-documented environmental implications of burning large quantities of fossil fuels, there is a growing concern that relying on oil gives geopolitical power to certain unsavory regimes.
So what are the alternatives? The government wants 10% of the UK’s energy consumption to be met by renewable sources by 2010. There are various sources of renewable energy; solar, water and the air. There is also the nuclear alternative, which has seen support from the present government.
The consortium building the London Array believe that wind is an underused resource, and have just received approval for the construction of up to 341 turbines 12 miles off the Kent coast in the outer Thames Estuary. By its completion in 2008, this wind farm will be the biggest in the world, and should be able to produce 1300 MW of energy, enough to provide 240,000 London homes with electricity.
Despite being a windy little island, Great Britain has not totally embraced the idea of wind energy. Although it is hard to argue with the concept of clean energy from a free local source, many people don’t like the idea of large, unsightly wind turbines despoiling the green and pleasant areas of the country. This can be dismissed as ‘NIMBYism’ (Not In My Back Yard). However, there is a valid argument to be had, as it seems slightly contradictory to be protecting the environment if people can’t enjoy it because their countryside is covered in wind farms.
Building farms offshore solves this problem. With the exception of the odd lighthouse keeper, there is unlikely to be anyone complaining about wind farms spoiling their view. Offshore farms are more costly to build and maintain than onshore, because of the increased difficulties associated with building at sea. However, these costs diminish when you consider the economies of scale offshore farms allow. On land, farms are spatially limited, and are restricted in the number of turbines they can build, sometimes only one or two at a time. However, offshore farms can be much bigger, thus creating economies of scale for contractors and reducing costs. Also, wind is stronger out at sea as it has fewer obstacles to impede it. This makes offshore turbines more efficient in the long run.
Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world; over the last 15 years, its annual average growth rate has been 15% according to the British Wind Energy Association. The UK is at the forefront of this development and, by the completion of the London Array in 2008, we will have overtaken Denmark as the largest consumer of wind energy in the world. Wind is a clean source of energy and we have plenty of it. As technology improves, the associated costs will reduce. The building of the London Array and other farms like it is a clear signal that we recognise the need to begin using renewable sources of energy in earnest. Using offshore wind power is a way to protect our environment from the affects of carbon emissions without covering it in ugly turbines.
