UK CO2 levels continue to rise
The Independent reports that UK carbon emissions for 2011 jumped by 2.6% despite the economy only growing by 0.3% over the same period.
The increase was seen to result from a move back to burning dirty coal by electricity generators.
Full report here
USA wind cut CO2 by 80 million tonnes in 2012
A report by the American Wind Energy Association has shown that in 2012 wind farms across the USA reached a capacity of 60GW (60,000MW) generating approximately 140 TWh (140 million MWh) resulting in a lowering of CO2 emissions by 79.9 million metric tonnes.
An equivalent saving to taking over 14 million cars off the road.
By the end of 2013 new projects are expected to increase the total to 98.9 million tonnes of CO2 which can be offset against annual US emissions of around 5.4 billion tonnes of CO2 per year.
Conversely, here in the UK the latest FITs status report from OFGEM shows that installations of all renewable technologies including wind has shrunk to its lowest level since 2011 as subsidies and planning policy put in place by the last government are slowly eroded by the Conservatives.
Its the gas price, stupid!
Following SSE's announcement of energy price increases averaging 8.2% for its customers, the usual round of political finger pointing was in full evidence with climate-change-deniers and fossil-fuel-lobbiests all wading in.
The age old lie? That renewable energy and green policy is to blame. But is it?
SSE's figures show that the price hike will average £93 a year for a typical household. Of that, £23 is due to increases in wholesale energy prices, £28 for re-investment back into the grid infrastructure and smart metering, £5 in VAT, £15 in "green taxes" and a remaining £23 which is "unaccounted" for bit includes SSE's profit.
Official figures from OFGEM show that support for renewables has added £15 to the average household annual energy bill of which on-shore wind accounts for just £4.68. In addition Government subsidy for most forms of renewable energy have been or are being cut significantly.
Gas prices have added over £120 per year per household.
With an ageing number of nuclear and dirty coal power stations being decommissioned and the Government hoping a second dash for gas to fill the gap, its no wonder they are so keen for fracking to be successful. Without fracking the UK will need to import ever more expensive LNG (liquid natural gas) in competition with global markets.
Over the forthcoming decades the increasing price of fossil fuels will become an ever increasing financial burden on the UK, unless we act to reduce our dependency.
DG004 components arrive in Somerset
Despite the best efforts of the weather, deliveries of turbine components to our Wanstrow site started this week...
UK majority wants more wind farms
This week a new survey by the BBC showed that 67% of the UK are in favour of more wind farms.
Support for nuclear and fracking was significantly lower at below 50%.
The BBC survey also highlighted a "generation gap" with support for renewables strongest among the younger generation. In the 25-34 age group support for wind farms jumped to 82% in favour!
Hardly surprising given who will be still be around to live with the consequences of climate change and energy shortages.
Let's hope the Government and particularly the planning system catch up with public opinion.
DG003 build nearing completion
With just the final electrical connection to go our turbine on the Orkney island of Westray is just a couple of weeks away from final commissioning.
Huge subsidies for dirty coal?
Monday's Independent reports that, according to Greenpeace, new subsidies worth £240m are to be paid to the owners of old and dirty coal fired power stations. Joss Garman, deputy political director at Greenpeace, said:
“This latest subsidy, amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds taken from consumers’ bills, would keep the UK dependent on the dirtiest fuel of all for at least another decade, while simultaneously putting at risk investment in less polluting power systems,”
Apparently 12 of the 18 remaining coal stations are also set to become exempt from the CO2 emmission caps applied to all new plant and will no longer need to use CO2 capture and storage solutions.
Yet more proof that the "Greenest Government ever" promise is becoming more hollow by the week.
Talbot Farm gets go-ahead
After some considerable amount of time in the appeal process the Inspectorate has finally allowed our appeal for a mid-size wind turbine at Talbot Farm overlooking the M4.
The application was refused permission by South Gloucestershire District Council in 2012 who cited unacceptable impacts on landscape and nearby heritage assets. The Inspector disagreed ruling that impacts were "less than substantial" and fully reversible.
The full appeal decision can be downloaded here.
Planning: Fracking vs Wind
In an article this week Guardian columnist George Monbiot points out the disparity between planning policy applying to fracking sites and wind farms:
Make no mistake, this Government has decided we will have fracking - like it not.