Media
What happened in 2005...
 Large-scale integration of wind energy in electricity systems, new industry study released - Distortions and institutional deficiencies in European electricity markets are main barriers Brussels, 15th December 2005
A comprehensive report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) provides analysis of the technical, economic and regulatory issues concerning the large scale integration of wind energy into European energy markets. EWEA CEO Corin Millais said:
"The capacity of the European power systems to absorb significant amount of wind power is determined more by economics and regulatory rules than by technical or practical constraints. Already today a penetration of 20% of power from wind is feasible without posing any serious technical or practical problems"
Click here to read more including the full report ...
Real Power is the quarterly newsletter from BWEA, aimed at members, stakeholders and anyone with an interest in the progress of the wind industry in the UK. As well as all the usual updates and latest industry news and views, this fourth edition features an interview with Defra Minister Ben Bradshaw on the Marine Bill, and a special focus on the UK and European offshore wind energy markets.
Click here to read Real Power online today
New study shows wind farms are friends not foes - 'inverse Nimby syndrome' in action Monday 12 December 2005
A new study from the University of St Andrews provides further evidence to support what previous work has long shown, namely that opposition to wind arises partly from exaggerated perceptions of likely impact and that the experience of living with a wind farm frequently dispels these fears - 'seeing is believing', as the author Dr Charles Warren suggests. The report also coins a new term - 'inverse Nimby syndrome' - ie those with wind farms in their back yard do strongly support them. The report also found that objections to wind farms would seem to be a case of NIABY - not in anybody's backyard, and that where Nimbyism was found, this was strongest in relation to proposed rather than actual wind farms.
See http://calvin.st-andrews.ac.uk/external_relations/news_article.cfm?reference=880
 Industry welcomes report on microgeneration potential Monday 12 December 2005
BWEA today welcomed a report from the Energy Saving Trust on the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small wind turbines, to contribute to the UK's energy mix. Given appropriate support, small scale wind generation could reduce UK's CO2 emissions by 4% and provide 6% of UK's electricity demand by 2050.
Click here for more ...
Imagine Energy without Fuel Tuesday 6 December 2005
EWEA has publishes an advert promoting the benefits of wind energy to directly tackle oil price rises and illustrates that wind power is one of Europe's largest indigenous energy resources and it is still largely unexploited.
Click here for more ...
 
Time to take action on climate change - new campaign launched Thursday 1 December 2005
A new three year drive to communicate the threat of climate change and the need for everyone to tackle the problem has been launched by Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and Climate Change Minister Elliot Morley. The announcement unveils a series of new communication resources that tell the story of climate change and seek to inspire people to get involved in the campaign. Details of how private sector groups, organisations and charities can apply for money from a £6m fund over three years were also announced.
Click here to read more ...
or watch a two minute film telling the story of climate change - click here or on the image on the right
New poll shows UK should be self sufficient in energy Friday 25 November
83% of adults believe that the UK should aim to be self sufficient in energy, according to a poll by Ipsos MORI for EDF Energy. The results of 1,931 face to face interviews also found that
that only 43% of adults are aware of an energy gap as old coal and nuclear power stations close down. 72% supported wind power to fill the energy gap in the future, whilst 54% believe nuclear power should be part of the future energy – with coal, gas and wind – despite its disadvantages.
Click here for full details ...
Power of the wind blows away myths - UK has best wind resource in Europe Monday 14 November
A new report from the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University shows that the UK has the best wind resource in Europe. The report, commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, analysed hourly wind speeds collected by the Met Office at 66 locations across the UK since the 1970, making it the most extensive research of the UK's wind resource to date.
As Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks commented:
"While the 'wrong' leaves may fall on our railway tracks and we hear people in the water industry talk about the 'wrong' kind of rain, we have the best wind - and that's official!"
BWEA Head of Grid & Technical Affairs, Richard Ford, warmly welcomed the publication:
"With this evidence, there should now be no doubt at all about wind's ability to play a reliable role in the new power portfolio, and fulfil its promise to generate significant amounts of carbon free electricity for the UK. The UK is starting to catch up with our EU partners, who have been enjoying the benefits of this clean energy source for many years now, including thousands of jobs and increased energy security, despite not having this quality of wind."
Click here for BWEA's response in full ...
Click here to read the DTI's release ...
The full report of Wind Power and the UK Wind Resource can be found online at http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/renewables/ukwind
BWEA welcomes Government proposals for capping transmission charges in Scottish Islands and further enabling microgeneration Friday 11 November
The Government today showed broad support for a Private Members Bill which is calling for climate change targets and increased support for microgeneration. Mark Lazarowicz's Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill calls for an annual report on what actions Government is taking to tackle emissions and an update on the implementation of the DTI's microgeneration strategy. The Bill had its second reading in the Commons today and received broad support from the Government, which added two new measures to the Bill.
The first new measure would increase the time period of the power contained in section 185 of the Energy Act 2004, which would extend the timeline for adjusted transmission charges in the Scottish Islands from 2014 to 2024. The second new clause would simplify access for smaller, less than 50 kW, generators to Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) by allowing agents to act on behalf of microgenerators and amalgamate their generation output. This would also mean that a sale and buy-back agreement would no longer be required between a generator and an electricity supplier.
Click here for more details including links to BWEA's work on microgeneration ...
BWEA response to new Government support for small wind and other microgeneration technologies Wednesday 2 November 2005
BWEA has given a cautious welcome to the Government's announcements on the new Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Head of Onshore Chris Tomlinson said:
"There is an enormous public appetite for the uptake of small wind and other renewable systems and this announcement is a step in the right direction towards harnessing the power of our homes, schools and offices. The best way for the public and industry to respond to this is to demonstrate that appetite by ensuring this scheme is a sell-out and to build a powerful case for even more Government action on small scale renewables."
Click here to read the full response ...
Strategy calls on EU Ministers to develop a common European policy for offshore wind energy Friday 28 October 2005
The European Wind Energy Association has welcomed the Copenhagen Strategy published by the participants to the Copenhagen Policy Seminar on European Wind Power Deployment. It calls on the Council of Ministers to ask the European Commission to initiate a European policy for offshore wind power in the form of an Action Plan on offshore wind power deployment.
"EU-wide collaboration is necessary in order to fully exploit offshore wind energy, one of Europe's largest indigenous energy resources. Europe is running low on oil and gas and prices are rising. This initiative of European Member States and energy agencies is an essential step forward to ensure Europe gains control of its own energy future", said Arthouros Zervos, President of EWEA. "It is self-evident that offshore wind can happen faster and cheaper with European collaboration on key issues such as research and grid integration"
Click for the full story ...
BWEA27: Industry on display in Cardiff Friday 29 October 2005
BWEA is pleased to report that well over 1000 people attended Cardiff International Arena over the course of three days, bringing together the leading players in the rapidly growing wind and marine renewables industries. With presentations from 80 expert speakers, and 85 companies on display in the accompanying exhibition, the Association's 27th annual conference and exhibition provided the all the latest information on the successes and challenges ahead for these key sectors.
Click here for a more in-depth review ...
Record year for UK wind industry as over 800 delegates join BWEA's annual conference Tuesday 18 October 2005
Some 19 new wind farms totalling 500 megawatts (MW) will be commissioned this year, including the largest offshore wind farm so far built in UK waters. This new wind power capacity will provide carbon free power for the equivalent of 300,000 homes – or every home in the city of Cardiff.
Click here to read more...
Industry calls for bold Government action to open up our urban wind resource Wednesday 5 October 2005
The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) today called on the Government to propose bold measures to open up the UK's urban wind resource. Click here to read more...
 EP votes for increased deployment of renewables and calls for mandatory 20% target by 2020 Thursday 29 September 2005
The European Parliament voted today to strongly support Renewable Energy by adopting a report* on the share of renewables in the EU and proposals for concrete action. The report supports an increased deployment of renewable energy sources, calling for an increase of the share of energy from renewables to 20% by 2020 from a level of 6% in 2001 Click here to read more...
No technical barriers for large-scale integration of wind power in the european electricity grids, says IEA study Tuesday 27 September 2005
The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) welcomed the conclusions of a working paper on renewable energies (1) published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which investigates whether there are technical limits to the market penetration of renewable energy technologies, and wind more specifically. According to the IEA study, "the extent to which the intermittency of natural resources will become a barrier to renewables is mainly a question of economics and market organisation". Click here to read more...
  npower Juice study to plot a course for commercial deployment of marine renewables Friday 23 September 2005
npower has today confirmed that it will provide funding to the BWEA for a project that will provide a 'route map' for the future of wave and tidal stream development around the UK Click here to read more...
BWEA statement on the Public Accounts Committee Report Thursday 15 September 2005
Comment on the publication yesterday of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report on renewable energy. Click here to see the response...
There's power in the wind and the waves… Friday 9 September 2005
Britain's renewable energy industry took to the water this week for the 4th annual BWEA sailing regatta
Click here to find out what happened when the UK wind industry took to the waves ...
Thousands put their hands up in support of wind energy Sunday 28 August 2005
Thousands of people used their Bank Holiday weekend to find out about wind energy as 15 wind farms across the UK opened to the public for the first ever Wind Weekend, a nationwide celebration of wind energy.
Click here for all the news on Wind Weekend ...
Fancy a fun-filled family day out at your local wind farm this Bank Holiday Weekend? Wednesday 10th August 2005
This August Bank Holiday (27/28 August), on the last weekend before schools go back, families across the UK will be able to visit a working wind farm and touch a turbine as part of the first ever, simultaneous nationwide opening of wind farms – and all for FREE.
Click here for more details and locations of wind farms taking part in the first ever national celebration of wind energy.
Latest poll finds strong support for renewables over nuclear Tuesday 9th August 2005
A new survey has found that 79% of the public support renewables such as wind energy over building new nuclear power stations, whilst only 18% believe that nuclear power should replace imports.
For more details and links to the Populus poll, click here...
Do you have questions about wind energy? A new publication from the Sustainable Development Commission has the answers!
 Wind Power: Your Questions Answered' is available in two formats: a cut down version aimed at householders, while the full report 'Wind Power in the UK' can be used for those who want/need greater depth of analysis, along with full references and sources.
Both are freely available to download as pdfs from www.sd-commission.org.uk/wind and this page also includes details of how to order paper copies of either publication.
Government and industry join forces to find clear path for wind farms Monday 18 July 2005
Flight trials have now commenced to demonstrate a technical solution that if successful, will be used to iron out objections to wind farms from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and individual airport operators. This research could have a positive impact by freeing up a significant number of potential wind farm sites that are currently sterilised. The project is essential in helping to meet Government targets for renewable energy by 2010 and beyond while helping to meet the UK's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.
Click here for the full story ...
 MOD lifts objections to wind energy projects Monday 18 July 2005
BWEA has welcomed an agreement that has seen the Ministry of Defence (MOD) lift its objections to a number of wind energy projects in southern Scotland. Following discussions between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MOD and Scottish Executive, a solution has been found to concerns that wind farms planned near the Eskdalemuir seismic array could interfere with the array's role in monitoring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This has resulted in the MOD lifting its objections to wind farm applications within an 80 km 'exclusion zone' put in place around the array in February 2004. All applications must still go through the normal planning and consent process.
Read all about it ...
Real Power is the quarterly newsletter from BWEA, aimed at members, stakeholders and anyone with an interest in the progress of the wind industry in the UK. As well as all the usual updates and latest industry news and views, an interview with new Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, and highlights of their new report 'Wind Power in the UK' by Sustainable Development Commission Chairman Jonathon Porritt, this fun packed edition also presents BWEA's new toy, UKWED - the definitive database of wind energy in the UK, freely available online and in a user-friendly format.
As an additional incentive, the first to complete this issue's Crosswinds challenge will be the recipient of a free pass to BWEA27, the Association's 27th annual conference and exhibition, being held in Cardiff on 18-20 October. What are you waiting for!
Click here to read Real Power online today
Welsh Assembly publishes national planning policy on renewables Tuesday 12 July 2005
800 MW of onshore wind in Wales is achievable was the response from BWEA to the publication of TAN8, although the industry will be seeking clarification on certain points. Chris Tomlinson, Head of Onshore Wind at BWEA said:
"The final publication of TAN8 is a welcome first step in delivering the target for onshore wind development in Wales by 2010 and helping the UK meet its overall climate and renewable energy commitments. Delivering 800 MW of wind energy is well within reach for our established industry but we must wait and see whether the new planning approach can deliver. To this end, the Welsh Assembly Government must review progress on a regular basis and if necessary, adapt the planning framework to ensure the target is delivered on time."
Click here to read all about it ...
Industry welcomes consent for UK's largest wind farm Tuesday 12 July 2005
Today's announcement of the decision to grant planning permission to what will be the largest onshore wind farm in the UK has been warmly welcomed by the industry association, BWEA. The Crystal Rig extension will see a further 52 turbines totalling up to 164 megawatts (MW) join the existing wind farm in the Scottish Borders. Today's approval comes in a record year of growth and consents, says the industry association. Chief Executive Marcus Rand commented:
"Today's announcement takes us an important step closer to meeting our 2010 renewable and climate change targets. The wind industry in the UK has now firmly arrived and is growing at a record rate. This year alone, consents for over 500 MW have been awarded, and more than 800 MW of new wind projects, both on and offshore, are under construction. In 2006, the industry is set to grow at an even faster rate as we become the world leader in offshore wind development."
At 164 MW, Crystal Rig tops the list of onshore wind farms in the UK, making it the largest and most powerful development in the country. This is one of the results available from a new product, launched today by the industry association. UKWED - the UK Wind Energy Database - is the definitive list of all wind energy projects, whether already powering homes, under construction, consented or in planning. BWEA's database is the result of over a year of development, and will allow the industry body, its members and the public alike to have up to the minute statistical analyses of the progress of the sector.
Click here for full story ...
Click here to see UKWED in action ...
Support for wind remains strong as new report highlights global role of wind power Thursday 30 June 2005
77% of the UK public believes wind is necessary; 12% of the world's electricity can be supplied by wind by 2020. These are the take home messages of today's news from BWEA and GWEC - the Global Wind Energy Council. With the prioritisation of climate change for the UK Government's G8 and EU Presidencies this year, BWEA releases its third NOP 'Wind Tracker' that shows that more than three quarters of the public (77%) believe that wind energy is necessary to help meet our current and future energy needs and help tackle climate change. Meanwhile, GWEC and Greenpeace launched 'Windforce 12', a global industry blueprint that describes how wind power can supply 12% of the world's electricity by 2020. The report is a crucial tool in the race to cut greenhouse gas emissions as 12% electricity from a total of 1,250 gigawatt (GW) of wind power installed will save a cumulative 10,771 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a key contributor to climate change.
In the report, the value of the global market for wind turbines is to move from the current €8 billion to an estimated €80 billion annual business by 2020. Wind power is one of the most effective power technologies that is ready today for global deployment on the requisite scale, and can be installed far quicker than other conventional power stations. Today, wind power installed in Europe is saving over 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year and is on track by 2010 to deliver one third of the EU's Kyoto commitment. In the UK, wind power is set to grow rapidly as the Government implements its plan to generate 10% of the nation's electricity from renewables by 2010. The majority, some 7-8 GW of new power, will be met from on and offshore wind energy.
Click here for the full press release ...
Click here for the Windforce 12 report ...
New poll shows high support for wind farms in local areas Wednesday 22 June 2005
An ICM poll for The Guardian on climate change shows that 69% of those polled support the building of a wind farm within 20 miles of their home - while 79% oppose the building of a nucelar power station within 20 miles of their home.
You can read the poll here: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Politics/documents/2005/06/21/June2005climatechange.pdf
Wind energy: helping to build European energy independence Thursday 26 May 2005
Brussels, 26th May 2005 --- European energy imports are predicted to rise from 50% today to 70% by 2030. Wind energy is one of Europe's largest indigenous energy resources and it can help to build European energy independence, according to the EWEA, the European Wind Energy Association.
Already today, wind power installed in Europe is saving over 50 million tonnes of CO2 every year. On current trends, wind energy can save more than 100 million tonnes of CO2 p.a. across Europe by 2010, delivering more than 30% of the EU's total Kyoto Protocol obligation and generating power equivalent to the needs of 34 million European households.
"Wind power has no resource constraints; the fuel is free, endless. Wind power stations can be constructed and can deliver power far quicker than other conventional sources, with no import dependence and no fuel price risk. In terms of carbon delivery, wind energy is outperforming many other proposed solutions", said Corin Millais, EWEA CEO.
Read the full press release at www.ewea.org/documents/0510_EWEA_BWE_VDMA_dena_RELEASE.pdf
BWEA welcomes Energy Minister's focus on renewables in his first speech Wednesday 25 May
Responding to Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, MP who today re-affirms support for renewables in his first speech, Marcus Rand, BWEA Chief Executive said:
"We are delighted that the Energy Minister has chosen to highlight the importance of wind and renewables in his first major speech and stress the government's determination to reach our 10% by 2010 target. Renewables are key to meeting our Kyoto commitments so ensuring we achieve our goals on renewables is an absolute must."
Click here for the full press release ...
SDC report underlines critical importance of wind power for the UK Thursday 19 May
BWEA response to Sustainable Development Commission's report on wind power in the UK
Click here for the full press release ...
Nine out of ten people in Northern Ireland back wind farms, says new poll Thursday 19 May
Celebrities and local people call upon Northern Ireland public to support the launch of the Embrace the Revolution wind campaign. A new survey conducted by Millward Brown Ulster revealed today that nine out of ten people in Northern Ireland (87%) agree that wind farms are necessary to help meet the country's current and future energy needs.
Click here for the full press release ...
Large scale integration of wind energy in the electricity system is technically and economically feasible, according to German study. Tuesday 10 May 2005
Brussels, 10th May 2005 --- The dena report - a German study on grid integration of wind energy - is presented in detail at the international Conference on the integration of wind energy into the German Electricity Supply" today in Berlin. On this occasion, EWEA, VDMA Power Systems and BWE have released a wind industry briefing analysing the study's findings and commenting on the issue.
"What is valuable from the European perspective is that in Germany the planned tripling of wind energy to deliver 14 % of the country's electricity consumption by 2015 is technically feasible and economically very effective", said Corin Millais, CEO of EWEA."The reports' findings are significant for policy makers – can wind power practically deliver an important part of a country's electricity supply? The answer is yes. It costs little and there are no technical constraints. The opinion that wind energy can't deliver on a big scale has been blown away".
Read the full press release at www.ewea.org/documents/0510_EWEA_BWE_VDMA_dena_RELEASE.pdf
Read the briefing at www.ewea.org/documents/0510_EWEA_BWE_VDMA_dena_briefing.pdf
UK's largest wind farm switches on in a record year for wind industry Tuesday 10 May
The newest and most powerful wind farm in the UK is today officially switched on in what is proving to be a record year for the UK wind industry.
The opening today of Rothes wind farm in Scotland by Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson is the 8th commissioning of new wind projects this year. The 22 turbine 50.6 megawatt (MW) project brings the total UK wind power portfolio to 979 megawatts from 1234 turbines, representing some 0.7% of total UK electricity supply.
Click here for the full press release ...
Small is beautiful too! Friday 29 April
BWEA has published another in it's hugely successful series of industry briefing sheets. The focus this time is on the role of small wind systems, in celebration of yesterday's "Wind Power - Small Scale and Building Integrated" conference and exhibition which attracted over 200 delegates. The event, the first in a series dedicated to small scale renewable energy, was organised by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and supported by the British Wind Energy Association.
Marcus Rand, BWEA CEO, speaking at the event commented:
"We are entering a fantastically exciting time in small wind. The technology is becoming more talked about both in the public and political agenda and we see more people wanting to install their own wind turbines. This sector of the wind industry is vital in our climate change and energy security targets since demand for small wind can potentially be enormous. However, there are still challenges ahead, particularly those of finance, regulation, planning and technical standards. By working together and encouraging innovative thinking the industry, stakeholders and Government can get this right, drive the market and get those much wanted economies of scale."
Click here for the full press release ...
or go straight to the heart of the matter and see BWEA's latest briefing sheet Small Wind Energy Systems
UK in pole position for offshore wind Thursday 21 April 2005
400 people attended BWEA's fourth annual offshore wind conference, held19-20 April at ExCel London. This two-day event addressed all the key issues facing the UK offshore wind industry, and was kicked off by an inspiring opening speech from Jonathon Porritt CBE, Programme Director of Forum for the Future, reminding us all of the need to secure a sense of perspective when addressing the impacts of wind energy against the impacts of climate change.
Currently ranked the number one market for offshore wind in the world (Ernst & Young March 2005), progress in this sector means that the UK should sometime in 2006 become the world's largest generator of wind energy at sea.
Click to find out more about UK Offshore Wind 2005 conference ...
Wind sector: R&D essential to create platform for growth for Europe Thursday 31 March
In order to continue Europe's track record of cost reductions and maintain technology leadership in wind energy, EWEA is calling for an increase in wind energy research and development spending, as well as for the establishment of a Wind Energy Technology Platform.
"European research efforts should be focused on those technologies where Europe is strong. R&D is a crucial factor in reaching full cost competitiveness with other power sources, and goes hand-in-hand with reaping further economies of scale through increased market volumes," said Corin Millais CEO of EWEA."Europe is in pole position with wind energy technology, but there is a risk that we may fall behind unless significant support to long-term and short-term R&D is included in the forthcoming European research programme FP7."
Click here to read in full...
Three quarters of Scots back wind farms, says new poll Tuesday 22nd March
As Scots-based celebrity champions - including Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos, actor Brian Cox, celebrity chef Nick Nairn, legendary broadcaster Magnus Magnusson and Changing Rooms designer Anna Ryder Richardson - add their backing for wind power, a new survey conducted by NOP World reveals that almost three-quarters of Scots (73%) agree wind farms are necessary to help meet the country's current and future energy needs.
Click here for details of the launch of the Scottish Embrace the Revolution campaign ...
Global wind industry grows as positive assessment of grid integration reported from Germany Friday 4th March
On the day that the global wind industry announced figures reporting a market expansion of 20% last year and that Europe once again dominated with over 70% of new installations in 2004, the British Wind Energy Association also welcomes the publication of a report by the German Energy Agency, DENA, clarifying the cost of integrating wind power into the German electricity grid.
Contrary to press stories that claim this report calls into question Germany's policy to dramatically expand wind generation, it actually sets out that the country's power network can be adapted quite easily for such an expansion, and at reasonable cost.
Marcus Rand, Chief Executive of BWEA, commented:
"This report, like that produced recently in the UK by the National Audit Office, makes clear that a significant expansion of wind power can be delivered at only a small additional cost to both German and UK consumers. In the case of Germany, meeting a target of generating 20% of their power from wind and other renewables will add a mere £10 a year to an average household's electricity bill. As well as being a key part of any rational policy to tackle climate change, wind energy also delivers the additional benefits of a new industry and improved energy security."
Click here to read a summary of the DENA Study report (PDF format)
Click here for the full analysis ...
BWEA statement on Ofgem's announcement on transmission charging Friday 25th February
Today's approval by Ofgem of the new transmission charging scheme has been greeted with disappointment by the UK's renewables industry:
"This announcement is disappointing, but not a surprise, and has done nothing to facilitate the achievement of our 10% by 2010 renewable energy target", commented Richard Ford, Head of Grid and Technical Affairs at BWEA.
Maf Smith, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables commented: "the charges are high, but we can't say we are surprised. We have been warning Ofgem and the UK Government for some time that these charges will derail achievement of renewable targets in Scotland, and penalise electricity companies who have the temerity to work north of the border."
Click for a more detailed analysis of what the new transmission costs will mean ...
BWEA statement on the publication of German wind energy report Friday 25th February
"The report by the German Government makes clear that Germany intends to further expand its production of wind and renewable power up to 20% of their country's electricity needs by 2015- 2020. By 2015 some 35,000 MW of wind power could be operating in Germany, split between on and offshore. Wind power is expanding rapidly in Germany, and many other countries around the world, including the UK, because it is the cheapest way of generating new renewable power and therefore the cheapest way of saving a tonne of carbon through new renewable power sources. The extra costs of wind energy's expansion in the UK has been costed recently by the National Audit Office to amount to increases of some 0.5% per year on our electricity bills and totalling 5% by 2010. For this small additional cost the wind industry will deliver savings of between 10 and 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a significant part of our country's CO2 reduction plans, thousands of new jobs and of course improve our nation's energy security."
Realising Britain's marine potential
This year's largest ever gathering of key players in marine renewables in the UK took place on Thursday 3rd March in London, at BWEA's 2nd annual conference for the industry.
Titled Sea: The Future, the event focused on the financing, consenting and policy issues surrounding the UK's nascent wave and tidal energy sector.
Over 200 delegates heard presentations from 21 speakers including the DTI, Defra, The Crown Estate and The Carbon Trust, with a keynote speech from Energy Minister Mike O'Brien MP.
BWEA's Marine Renewables Development Manager Michael Hay said:
"This is an exciting time for marine renewables in the UK. With the release last August of £50 million support by the DTI and the recent proposal for distributing these funds based on the BWEA's 'Into the Blue' document, there is more interest in this sector than ever before. Indeed the UK is now attracting companies from all over the world that want to get involved in the momentum that is being created here.
Financing, consenting, leasing and stakeholder issues are therefore becoming more prominent as the debate shifts from when deployment will happen to how it will happen.
This event is therefore particularly well timed, and its content reflects what those interested and involved in the sector are talking about. Indeed as the largest gathering of people that have created the potential for an emerging UK energy industry to become a global leader, this promises to be a fascinating day."
Click here for the programme ...
Click here for more information on marine renewables ...
Joint Press Release Monday 21st February
Renewable energy industry calls for a quarter of UK energy to come from renewables by 2025
A statement by the renewable energy trade associations of the UK
 Eleven leading renewable energy trade associations, representing over 600 companies engaged in the renewables sector, today joined forces and published an eight point action plan to rapidly expand the use of renewables in the UK to provide a quarter of our total energy needs by 2025. The action plan will be sent to all political parties ahead of the forthcoming general election. This recommendation is in line with that made recently by the Climate Change Task Force, headed by Stephen Byers, which called on the G8 countries to deliver a quarter of their power from renewable sources over the next twenty years.
Marcus Rand, Chief Executive of the British Wind Energy Association:
"The UK is blessed with a vast renewable energy resource and we have made good progress recently in developing a market for renewable electricity, especially through the development of wind power. However, this is just the tip of the renewable iceberg. We now need to bring new renewable technologies, like wave and tidal, to commercial take off, while at the same time intervening to drive new markets for renewable heat and transport fuels. Renewables are essential for us to meet our climate and energy security goals. As we enter a new era for energy policy they make environmental and economic sense and must be made a key political priority."
Click here to read the eight point action plan in the Renewable Energy Manifesto in full
Public embrace wind power on day Kyoto comes into force Wednesday 16th February
On the day the Kyoto Protocol comes into force the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) launches a new 'Wind Tracker' showing that public support for the expansion of wind energy has reached an all-time high. The tracker, conducted by NOP World, shows that a growing majority of the British public (79%) think that wind farms are necessary to help meet current and future energy needs in the UK - a rise of 5% in just 5 months.
Click to find out more about BWEA's new 'Wind Tracker' and why 2005 will be a record year for the UK wind industry ...
Wind industry statement on National Audit Office Renewable Energy report Friday 11th February
The National Audit Office report on renewable energy sends encouraging messages that our 10% renewables target is within reach, and also identifies the key role that wind power will need to play in meeting it. The findings of the modelling closely echo the results of an industry survey carried out by BWEA. Both predict that deployment of wind power both on and offshore should meet some 7.5% of UK supply by 2010, approximately three-quarters of the Government's 2010 renewable energy target - and also represents an investment of £7 billion up to 2010.
Click here to read all about it ...
Low Frequency Noise and Wind Turbines Monday 7th February
Concerns have been raised in the UK that noise radiated from wind turbines contains sufficiently high levels of low frequency noise. BWEA has issued a report, which provides information on the issue of low frequency noise and looks at what experts and studies to date have to say on the issue.
Click to read report ...
Wind power continues to grow in 2004 in the EU Monday 7th February
Industry statistics released for the EU wind energy market show that cumulative wind power capacity increased by 22% at the end of 2004, however, further rapid progress which the wind industry is capable of delivering is constrained by barriers such as grid access and administrative hurdles.
Find out more ...
Rule Britannia - Britain could rule the Waves Monday 31st January
The Government proposes a combination of revenue based support and capital grants for marine technologies. Click here to read more ...
  Government action on renewables undermines fine intentions on climate change Wednesday 26th January
New business rates for renewables have been described as another 'nail in the coffin' of the Government's renewable energy targets by a coalition of trade associations representing the sector.
Click to find out why ...
UK Wind Industry Welcomes Climate Task Force Recommendations for Renewables Expansion Tuesday 25th January
The International Climate Change Task Force calls for G8 countries to generate 25% of their electricity needs from renewables by 2025. In a joint letter to the Financial Times, the Chief Executives of the European and British Wind Energy Associations describe this as a welcome initiative that 'deserves to be taken seriously'. The growth rate already evidenced in the global wind industry suggests that wind power could be providing 17% of the world's electricity needs by 2025, demonstrating that the sector is capable of delivering on such an ambitious target.
Click here to read more...
Our Energy Future - the Role of Wind Power Wednesday 12th January
SERA, the Labour affiliated environmental think tank, has just published a definitive wind power guide for MPs and Councillors. The guide, produced in association with npower renewables and BWEA, outlines the role of wind power in meeting the Government's renewable energy targets in the short to medium term.
Read all about it ...
BWEA Annual Review 2004 Tuesday 4th January
2004 was a busy year for the UK wind industry, from a three-fold increase in capacity to industry events. BWEA's Annual Review 2004 provides comprehensive details of the work areas of the BWEA team.
Follow this link for an overview and to download the document ...
|
