UK joins wind energy elite
Britain has the capacity to generate 2,016 MW of wind energy
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Friday, 09, Feb 2007 10:10
Britain has become one of only seven countries in the world to have the capacity to generate more than two gigawatts of wind energy.
The milestone will be reached today when the Braes of Doune wind farm, near Stirling, is officially opened by trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling.
But the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) has warned that considerable developments are needed if the UK is to generate the three gigawatts (3,000 megawatts) of renewable energy needed to meet the government's target by 2010.
Nevertheless, Mr Darling will today say that a "significant landmark" had been achieved.
"It reflects the government's commitment to expanding the UK's renewable energy resource. This is central to our efforts to tackle climate change, highlighted again last week by the UN's international panel on climate change," he is expected to say.
"We want 20 per cent of our electricity to come from these green sources and we are working hard on removing any barriers to achieving that aim. Wave, tidal and offshore wind power can make a significant contribution in future but onshore wind energy is delivering capacity here and now."
BWEA chief executive Maria McCaffery has claimed that the energy needs of 1.1 million households could be serviced by two gigawatts of wind power, equivalent to a third of London homes.
She is expected to say today in Scotland: "There is still much work to do if we are to achieve the government's target of delivering ten per cent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2010, but today's news is a tremendous step forward for harnessing our abundant natural resources for clean and sustainable energy production which is essential in overcoming the challenges of climate change and securing energy supply."
Top eight countries in terms of wind energy capacity
1 Germany 20,622 MW
2 Spain 11,616 MW
3 US 11,273 MW
4 India 6,053 MW
5 Denmark 3,136 MW
6 Italy 2,123 MW
7 UK 2,016 MW
8 Netherlands 1,564 MW