Wind farms failing to produce enough power... because there's not enough wind



Some of Britain's most beautiful landscapes have been blighted by wind farms for only small returns in energy, research shows.



The analysis of power output found that more than 20 wind farms are operating at less than one-fifth of their full capacity.

Experts say many turbines are going up on sites that are simply not breezy enough.

They also accuse developers of 'grossly exaggerating' the amount of energy they will generate in order to get their hands on subsidies designed to boost the production of green power.

The giant wind farm off the North East coast at Blyth is one of the worst offenders

Britain's most feeble wind farm is in Blyth Harbour in Northumberland, where the nine turbines lining the East Pier reach a meagre 7.9 per cent of their maximum capacity.

Another at Chelker reservoir in North Yorkshire operates at only 8.7 per cent of its potential.

Both are relatively small and old, but larger, more modern sites fared badly too, the analysis of figures provided by energy regulator Ofgem for 2008 found.

For instance, the two turbines at High Volts 2, Country Durham, the largest and most powerful wind farm in Britain when it was commissioned in 2004, achieves an efficiency of just 18.7 per cent.

Turbine efficiency is calculated by comparing the theoretical maximum output with what the farms actually generate.

While it is possible some of the results were skewed by breakdowns, the revelation that so many are under-performing will be of great interest to those who argue that wind farms are little more than expensive eyesores.

The analysis was carried out by Michael Jefferson, an environmental consultant and a professor of international business and sustainability.

He believes that financial incentives designed to help Britain meet is green energy targets are encouraging firms to site their wind farms badly.

Under the controversial 'Renewable Obligation' scheme, British consumers pay £1billion a year in their fuel bills to subsidise the drive towards renewable energy.

The professor told the Sunday Times: 'Too many developments are under-performing.

'It's because the developers grossly exaggerate potential.

'The subsidies make it viable for developers to put turbines on sites they would not touch if the money was not available.'

Poll Should windfarms operating below their capacity be scrapped? Yes No Should windfarms operating below their capacity be scrapped? Yes 4242 votes

No 1857 votes Now share your opinion





Professor Jefferson, of London Metropolitan Business School, has said previously: 'We should be putting our money where the wind is and that is quite often not where the development pressure is.'

Britain has 2,741 wind turbines spread over 262 sites. But the number is due to soar, with a further 7,000 planned for the next 12 years to meet European targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The industry said that other types of energy, from hydro to nuclear, have 50 per cent efficiency at best, and that Britain's onshore wind farms are the best in Europe.

Nick Medic, of Renewable UK, which represents the wind industry, said Britain's ambitious targets for green power meant the country 'needed every bit of green energy it could generate'.

He added : 'If it's not windy, it's not profitable, so why would you build? No business is going to build something that is not profitable.'