Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Monday 24 January 2011

Efficiency of wind turbines - The John Muir Trust

The JMT has spent the last 13 months monitoring 47 wind power stations and claim that they ran at 22 per cent efficiency - somewhat short of the 30 per cent figure claimed at every public enquiry into proposed stations. The JMT's figures were taken from data from the National Grid and they have called for an urgent review of the Scottish Government's renewable energy policy. Many councillors across the country apparently support the JMT's findings.

The Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said that the results were not surprising given the study period was one of the calmest winters on record.

A decision on the Standingfauld proposal, which would see turbines just a few kilometres from Braco, Muthill and Auchterarder, has been delayed until February so in theory this information is timely.

However, since the Scottish Government want 50 per cent Scotland's energy to come from renewable sources by 2020 and have invested £800m in various schemes, Jim Mather's reponse to the findings is predictable: there will be no change to the government's policy.

Source: Strathallan News

6 comments:

Alan Sloman said...

I agree: it's inevitable isn't it? They have nailed themselves such ambitious targets to stop now would be difficult politically...

Unless, of course, they could pin the blame on the very low percentages on the wind industry's over optimistic forecasts, which would give them wriggle room to get out of this unpopular course.

afootinthehills said...

I can't see them giving up somehow Alan. Still we can but hope I suppose.

How are the plans for the Dunmaglass protest going? Can't be with you unfortunately since Lynne and I will be about week ahead of the Challenge as plans stand at present.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see that 50% figure put under scrutiny: how much from hydro, how much from solar, biomass etc. And finally what percentage from wind; and just how much environmental damage will be required to generate that energy.

It might open a few eyes.

CF Rich said...

So so frustrating! Wind power is hopeless, the offshore wind farms are the only ones that can generate any significant amount of power and even with turbines appearing all over the country (not to mention those offshore) they are only generating around 2.5% of the national power demand (see the demand/production figures for current fuel generation for all methods at http://www.bmreports.com/bsp/bsp_home.htm), is there really any point plastering these eyesores all over the landscape for what will inevitably be only a token gesture towards the "green" power. Unfortunately I feel we need to find another way to generate power if they are so keen to get away from fossil fuels.

afootinthehills said...

Byeways - these would be very interesting figures to have. I've read somewhere that 3% of demand is produced by wind and the other figures would be worth knowing.

The environmental damage of these 'green' sources of energy would be significant I imagine, eg the hydro scheme proposed some years ago at Loch na h-Oidhche in the Flowerdale Forest and in Glen Nevis many, many years ago(I'd need to check the dates), not to mention the Glen Doe scheme already established.

afootinthehills said...

The Weekend Dude - thanks for this link. Very interesting. I agree unreservedly with your comments and can only hope that some momentum is building against this 'rush to wind'.