Tilting at Windmills

A report into renewable energy raises serious questions over the economic and ecological benefits of wind power. According to Professor David Simpson, the government’s strategy to promote wind power to reduce carbon emissions is flawed.

His report Tilting at Windmills, suggests nuclear power could be a better option, as long as there is an acceptable waste management strategy.

Conducted on behalf of the David Hume Institute, the paper also claims using “green power” would cost the taxpayer millions of pounds more than conventional power sources.

Prof Simpson writes: “Achieving a target of 20 per cent of electricity generated by wind power would cost consumers at least an extra £1.2 billion each year, and over £2 billion annually on less favourable assumptions.”

He adds that because of the cost of providing additional stand-by generating capacity - when the wind doesn’t blow - it is unlikely wind power will ever account for more than 20% of the country’s electricity generation.