February 1, 2011
Letters, U.K.

Wind turbines need back up of fossil fuels

News Letter, www.newsletter.co.uk 1 February 2011

Regarding the article on wind power (News Letter, January 28). The truth about wind power is that back up plant is required by law for times when the wind does not blow. This back up plant will be fossil fuel.

Germany has 20,000 wind turbines, yet not a single coal-fired electricity plant has been decommissioned as a result.

They are all needed for back up, so there will be no reduction in fossil fuel use.

Secondly, windless days often happen. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), an atmospheric feature which controls wind speeds in Europe, was at its lowest level in 2010 since records began in 1824. Thirdly, there is a direct relation between a lack of wind and cold weather.

As our climate becomes colder, windy days will decrease further.

Fourthly, wind farms could not exist but for huge public subsidies.

As Paul Golby, CEO of the energy giant E.ON, said: “Without the renewable obligation certificates no-one would be building wind farms” (Daily Telegraph, 26 March 2005).

The only people who will benefit from wind turbines will be the wind companies themselves. Both domestic and business consumers will see massive rises in their electricity bills in the coming years as a result of these subsidies.

Wind farms do not reduce carbon emissions and do not reduce our dependence on oil.

Terri Jackson

Founder Energy Group, Institute of Physics, London


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/01/wind-turbines-need-back-up-of-fossil-fuels/