Wind Power: tackling climate change and energy security

The SDC believes that to tackle the problems of climate change and energy security, wind power must be made to work.

'Wind Power in the UK' is set against the Government target to increase the contribution of renewables to UK electricity to 10 per cent by 2010 - with an aspiration of 20 per cent by 2020 - as part of efforts to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing energy security. The report aims to help policy-makers and planners balance genuine local concerns with wider environmental and social needs, so the benefits of renewable energy are realised through careful design and consultation.

SDC Chairman Jonathon Porritt said: 'Climate change will have a devastating impact unless urgent action is taken to boost the contribution of renewables, alongside energy efficiency measures. For this to happen, good decision-making is needed, and this requires reliable, up to date information, based on the best available scientific evidence. We believe wind power is a critically important part of the overall energy mix, and hope that this authoritative guide will ensure wind power is harnessed in the most responsible way to ensure that emissions of carbon dioxide are reduced'.

As well as acting as a practical guide for those involved in wind farm development, the report says:

- The UK has the best and most geographically diverse wind resources in Europe, more than enough to meet current renewable energy targets

- Technological advances mean there are no limits to the amount of wind capacity that can be added to an electricity system

- Planners and decision-makers should involve communities in effective public consultation from an early stage, and their concerns must be addressed; solutions exist to many such issues

- Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy and increasing supply to 20 per cent by 2020 would present only a very modest increase in cost for consumers that compares well with other energy sources. Indeed, as fossil fuel prices increase and wind turbines become cheaper to build, wind power may even become one of the cheapest forms of electricity generation over the next 15 years

- Wind power will displace fossil-fuelled plant, and there is no need for dedicated 'backup' plant to cope with wind

- Wind farms have been most successful where good working partnerships are formed

� Download our full report 'Wind Power in the UK' (revised Nov 2005)
� Download our booklet 'Wind Power: Your Questions Answered', for householders

'Wind Power in the UK' was commissioned in Autumn 2004 by the SDC with funding from the Department for Trade & Industry (now Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform). It was published in May 2005.