• Onshore wind
• Offshore wind
• Wave & tidal
• Small wind systems
• Aviation
• Cymru
• Wind farms in the UK
• Health & Safety
• Events
• Publications
• Latest news
• Jobs & Courses
• Membership
• Company Directory
• Members Area

BWEA Press Release

Tuesday 18th October 2005

Record year for UK wind as industry gathers for annual conference

80% of UK public believe wind is necessary

800 energy professionals gathered in Cardiff at the British Wind Energy Association's annual conference today heard the news that 2005 has been a record year for the UK wind industry.

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.

Delegates at the conference were further encouraged by a major statement of intent on renewable energy by Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy, in his keynote address. The Minister announced consent for Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm on Romney Marsh in Kent, where 26 turbines with a project capacity of up to 78 MW will, once built, generate enough electricity to power at least 32,000 homes - 75% of the homes in the Shepway District Council area.

The Energy Minister also announced the publication of new research into investor attitudes to renewables, saying that it showed "continuing confidence in the renewable sector and in the Government's commitment to it. I want to leave the industry in no doubt today that this commitment is real and for the long term."

Marcus Rand, Chief Executive of BWEA, commented:

"This announcement is a further strong sign of this Government's commitment to drive forward the development of wind energy in the UK. Wind has a key role to play in our energy future, which today's announcement has underlined in bold."

Strong public support for wind power was also highlighted today with the results of a new NOP opinion poll commissioned by BWEA. The latest in the NOP Wind Tracker, the fourth in the series, shows that 80% of the public believe that wind farms are necessary to help meet current and future energy needs in the UK. This news, combined with the record year for the UK wind industry, is important in light of next year's Energy Review. Wind's role in helping to meet the UK's short to long term climate targets is crucial, given the huge resource and the maturity of the technology.

Growth in wind energy, both on and offshore is essential if the UK is to meet its renewable and climate change objectives, and the industry is making good progress. 2005 has been a record year which also saw the UK break the gigawatt barrier, installing over 1,000 MW of wind, making the UK one of only eight countries around the world to have surpassed this level of capacity. UK wind generation now stands at over 1% of UK electricity supply, and on track for expectations of the sector.

Key amongst this year's new build is Kentish Flats, the UK's fourth and biggest large-scale offshore wind farm with a total capacity of 90 MW. Onshore records were also broken on more than one occasion with the commissioning of the largest wind farm, first at Cefn Croes in mid-Wales and subsequently at ScottishPower's 97 MW Black Law, which is the biggest wind farm on or offshore operating in the UK. A further 670 MW of new projects, including 90 MW offshore, are already under construction, for expected commissioning in 2006.

Notes:

1. BWEA is the UK's leading renewable energy association, with over 320 companies in membership, representing a range of interests and skills in both the wind and emerging marine renewables industries.

2. BWEA27, the Association's 27th annual conference and exhibition is being held at the Cardiff International Arena 18-20 October. For more information on the UK's largest dedicated wind and marine renewables event visit www.bwea.com/27.

3. Little Cheyne Court Wind farm was consented under section 36 of the Electricity Act, following a full Public Inquiry that concluded in January 2005. Developed by npower renewables, the project is expected to cost an estimated £50 million to build, with local businesses well placed to secure construction-related contracts. For further information contact npower renewables - www.npower-renewables.com

4. New wind farms commissioned in 2005 will generate on average 1,400,000 MWh, equivalent to the average annual electricity needs of some 300,000 homes, and saving the emission of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. See www.bwea.com/ukwed for details of wind farms in the UK.

5. The 'Wind Tracker' is a survey of public opinion to wind energy in Great Britain, conducted by leading independent research company, NOP World on behalf of BWEA, and governed by MRS Codes of Conduct. This is the fourth in the series, which asks a nationally representative sample a standard set of questions. Previous results have shown 74% (August 2004), 79% (January 2005) and 77% (May 2005) agreement with the statement that 'wind farms are necessary to help us meet current and future energy needs in the UK'. See www.bwea.com/ref/windtracker.html for more details.