DEFRA 10528 Wind Energy Cov.qxd 14/12/05 13:01 Page 1 Wind Power in the UK Wind Power Wind Power in the UK “The most comprehensive study of wind energy in Britain” Geoffrey Lean, Independent “A recent report by the government’s Sustainable Development Commission was hailed by the industry as a breakthrough because it showed wind power was becoming price competitive with other fuels.” Mark Townsend, Observer Sustainable Development Commission May 2005 Commission Sustainable Development “...the most informative, comprehensive, balanced and readable report on the subject I have ever read” A guide to the key Prof. Leon Freris, CREST Loughborough University issues surrounding “Because of the highly charged debate on wind power the report has been peer onshore wind power reviewed, like a scientific paper, to give it greater credibility so it can be used by development in the UK planners as an authoritative document” Paul Brown, Guardian Acknowledgements Many individuals and organisations assisted us with the compilation of this report and the Commission is extremely grateful to all of them. The views expressed are those of the Sustainable Development Commission. Cover image: Niall Olds, Enviros Published: May 2005 (revised November 2005) Printed on material that contains a minimum of 100% recycled fibre for uncoated paper and 75% recycled fibre for coated paper. To order more copies of this report, to order copies of the booklet, Wind Power, Your Questions Answered, or to find out more about the work of the Sustainable Development Commission, visit our website at www.sd-commission.org.uk PB11144 DEFRA 10528 Wind Energy Cov.qxd 14/12/05 13:01 Page 2 Foreword In my capacity as the immediate past Chairman of RCEP, and Chairman at the time of the RCEP Energy Report, I would like to warmly welcome the SDC’s report on wind power in the UK as one that makes a significant contribution to an important area of public debate. All the RCEP's scenarios in its Energy Report envisaged a large role for wind in meeting the challenge of climate change. The RCEP remains convinced of the need for this role, as part of a much broader Climate Change Programme. I am pleased to note that the SDC report confirms that wind is both the cheapest and one of the most abundant of the UK's renewable resources. At current levels of gas prices, and certainly if credit is given for its carbon-free status in line with current Government estimates of the social cost of carbon, it is already cost-competitive with gas-fired electricity on the best onshore wind sites, and seems likely to be the cheapest of all forms of power generation by 2020 on such sites, even without a carbon credit. In addition, the supposed additional system costs of wind have been much exaggerated in some quarters and it is encouraging to see that this report shows, on the basis of rigorous analysis, that they are in fact very modest. The RCEP also expects that in the UK wind is likely to substitute for coal-fired generation in the short term and perhaps gas in the medium term. This means that it will reduce carbon emissions substantially. Another frequent misunderstanding related to wind is the implication of its variability. In fact, with modern meteorology, wind is very predictable over the time scales relevant for balancing the electricity system. Its variability means that it cannot displace fossil plant MW for MW, but at penetrations up to 20% of electricity generation it can displace fossil plant at around 20% of installed wind capacity. The carbon penalty for having to have additional conventional plant on reserve duty to compensate for the variability of wind (which is in any case usually predictable) is very small. The visual and landscape impacts of wind remain of concern to the RCEP, and to many people who love the UK countryside. This concern must be taken seriously and steps taken not to allow wind farms to spoil sites designated for their beauty. But all forms of power generation have negative environmental impacts, and climate change will have the most serious impacts of all. Sir Tom Blundell FRS FMedSci sustainable development commission Wind Power in the UK i Executive Summary Wind power development arouses strong the proportion of wind on the grid the lower its opinions. For the general public, a high level of “capacity value”, and the lower the quantities of support nationally for wind power can be conventional technology it displaces. contrasted with opposition at the local level. Nevertheless it continues to reduce carbon This situation presents local planners, emissions. councillors, and communities with a difficult task – to assess the needs of the wider environment Costs against local concerns. Information about the The generation costs of onshore wind power are complexities of wind power generation – its around 3.2p/kWh (+/-0.3p/kWh), with offshore costs, intermittency issues, effects on the at around 5.5p/kWh, compared to a wholesale electricity network, noise, ecological and price for electricity of around 3.0p/kWh. The landscape impacts among others – is therefore additional system cost is estimated to be around essential for considered decisions to be made. 0.17p/kWh, when there is 20% wind power on the system. Generation costs are likely to The aim of this report is to outline the main decrease over time as the technology improves, issues relating to onshore wind power and but this will be balanced against increased costs comment on their validity from a sustainable for integrating higher levels of wind generation development perspective, in line with the into the system. principles outlined in the UK’s new Framework for Sustainable Development. Environmental impacts As a carbon free source of energy, wind power Targets contributes positively to the UK’s effort to reduce The UK has committed itself to working towards our carbon emissions to tackle the threat of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050, and climate change. The impact of climate change the development of renewable energy on the landscape will be radical, and therefore technologies such as wind is a core part of the visual impact of a wind development must achieving this aim. UK wind resources are more be considered in this context. To some, wind than enough to meet current renewable energy turbines are a blot on the landscape whereas to targets – the generation of 10% of UK electricity others they are elegant workhorses, but this from renewable sources by 2010, and an reaction is highly subjective. However, there are aspirational target of 20% by 2020 – and there far fewer landscape and environmental impacts are no major technical barriers to meeting these associated with wind turbines than with other targets. energy generation technologies, although their development is often in areas that have not had Intermittency such developments in the past. Wind Wind blows at variable speed, variable intensity developments do not have long lasting and sometimes not at all. But this variability is decommissioning issues, as they can be replaced not a problem for the electricity grid. Wind is or removed quickly if necessary. accurately forecast over the timeframes relevant to network operators and other market Wildlife and habitat impacts can be minimised participants. Increasing the proportion of wind through careful project location, design power in the electricity system does not require measures, and appropriate construction greater “back up” capacity, as is often believed, techniques. Environmental Impact Assessments but it does slightly increase the cost. The greater must be comprehensive, and thoroughly explore ii Wind Power in the UK sustainable development commission Executive Summary all the potential disadvantages so these can be properly mitigated. Not all sites will be appropriate for wind developments, and designated areas should continue to receive a high level of protection. Community engagement A key factor in a successful wind development is the involvement of the local community at all stages. This will ensure that the community is involved in exploring ways of mitigating any potential environmental or social impacts – such as overcoming any effects on TV transmission. Communities often perceive noise from turbines to be a potential problem, but the noise from the moving parts has reduced substantially as the technology has advanced, and communities often find that noise is not a problem. Planning procedure The planning policy environment and consents procedure need to continue to improve to enable renewable energy development. There will continue to be barriers to some developments because of their impact on radar and aircraft radio navigation systems, but this can be resolved in the pre-planning stage. The UK has some of the strictest policies in place to protect against interference of radar and aviation, and these must be justified. The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) hopes that this report will be used to ensure that good practice is followed when new wind power developments are being considered and calls on all stakeholders to play their full part to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are realised through careful design and consultation. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MAY 2005 sustainable development commission Wind Power in the UK iii Photograph: Islay Studios Islay Photograph: Brandon Clements, Rhona Earnshaw and Phoebe Brown turn on the Isle of Gigha ‘Dancing Ladies’ providing the 130 strong community with energy and independence. Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 3