August 26, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Department of Trade and Industry (National)
How green is my valley?
Interactive map of UK renewable energy locations goes live
http://maps.restats.org.uk
The Government’s recent Energy Review outlined plans for another big push on renewables up to 2020 and progress on their development can now be easily tracked via a dynamic DTI web facility that is launching today.
On and offshore wind farms, solar power schemes, hydro electric and biofuel projects across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can all now be located at the click of a mouse.
Commenting on the new resource, Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks said:
“Due to the twin concerns of climate change and security of supply we stated in the Energy Review that we want to increase five fold the amount of renewable energy capacity we have in the UK.
“The aim is for 20% of our electricity to come from clean, green energy sources by 2020 and that means a significant number of new schemes springing up. The interactive map that is going live today will allow users to monitor progress and will provide them with details of all the different types of projects being developed across the British Isles.”
The site gives descriptions of the projects, along with their status – approved, under construction, operational etc – and their installed capacity.
The site also contains quarterly reports providing separate statistical updates on the delivery of renewable energy schemes in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The launch of the website coincides with the wind industry’s bank holiday ‘Wind Weekend’ – an open day that provides an opportunity for thousands of families to be entertained with free activities and tours of their local sites.
British Wind Energy Association Chief Executive Maria McCaffery MBE said:
“Wind Weekend is a wonderful chance for everyone to experience the power of the wind for themselves and find out how wind turbines, large and small, can help us tackle climate change and keep the lights on in Britain.
“Wind energy is leading the renewables revolution in the UK, and the DTI’s new dynamic map will be an excellent source of information for all renewable energy enthusiasts.”
Notes to Editors
1. DTI renewable energy map – http://maps.restats.org.uk
2. The collection of renewable energy statistics – began in 1989 via a project carried out by ETSU (now FES – a part of AEA Technology Environment) on behalf of the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Statistical Office of the European Communities (SOEC, also referred to as Eurostat). The project identified all relevant renewable energy sources and, where possible, information was collected on the amounts of energy derived from each. The database now contains 17 years of data from 1989 to 2005. RESTATS currently holds information on heat and electricity generated from all the following sources:
* Biofuels, including the combustion of biomass and wastes, co-firing, gas from landfill sites and digestion processes
* Hydro-electricity, both large and small-scale
* Wave power
* Wind turbines and wind-farms – onshore and offshore
* Solar – active solar heating and photovoltaics
* Geothermal aquifers
Information contained in the RESTATS database provides support to Government and Industry in a range of activities related to renewable energy. In particular, it is perhaps the most reliable means by which the success of the UK New and Renewable Energy Programme can be measured and monitored. More info at http://www.restats.org.uk
3. BWEA Wind Weekend – http://www.embracewind.com
4. Wind farms opening include:
England
* Delabole (Good Energy), Cornwall
* Scroby Sands (E.ON), Norfolk
* Ecotech Centre, Norfolk
Scotland
* Ardrossan (Airtricity), North Ayrshire
* Black Law (Scottish Power), South Lanarkshire
Wales
* Rheidol (E.ON), Mid Wales
* Centre for Alternative Technology, Southern Snowdonia
* Hafoty Ucha,nr Corwen, Conwy, North Wales
Northern Ireland
* Tappaghan Mountain (Airtricity), Co Fermanagh
* Altahullion, Co Londonderry (B9)
As well as big wind farms, small wind systems, such as those installed at people’s homes or work places, have an equally important role to play in securing our clean energy future. Some other small wind turbines you can see over the bank holiday:-
* Mile End Park, London
* Millennium Centre, Dagenham
* St Nicholas Fields, York Environmental Community, York
* Wood Green, Godmanchester Animal Shelter, Cambridgeshire
5. For the summer 2006 renewable energy media pack go to following web address: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/news-events/page19438.html
Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740
(for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.dti.gov.uk
Client ref P/2006/192
GNN ref 137375P
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/08/26/interactive-map-of-uk-renewable-energy-locations-goes-live/