Providing power from wind
The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 22 December 2010
On Sunday night, the power requirements were such that major industrial users were asked to reduce use to prevent the lights going out.
The UK and Scottish governments have said that they are committed to providing 40% of power from wind. In a recent report on a planned windfarm off the coast of Aberdeen, the developers stated that “sufficient electricity would be generated to provide for Aberdeen”.
However, what they do not highlight is that the wind blows for an average of only 15%-28% of the time and that gas, coal and nuclear power stations will be required to be online as backup when the wind does not blow.
Over the past month, UK windfarms generated 0.001% of electricity, or enough for the citizens of Aberdeen to boil a kettle but not watch television.
It is remarkable how quiet “wind developers” have been over the past few weeks. At times of extreme cold or high temperatures, one of the constants is the lack of wind. What, then, for the good people of Aberdeen who are denied the latest episode of Coronation Street or seeing Aberdeen winning a football match?
James Stewart,
34 Contlaw Road,
Milltimber,
Aberdeen.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/23/providing-power-from-wind/