The case for wind power
Government targets state that 10% of all energy should come from renewable sources by 2010. Two thirds of that should come from wind power.
However, the experience of our European neighbours demonstrates the difficulty in managing the necessary amount of unpredictable wind power required to meet the targets.
Renewable energy sources can be described as “firm” or “non-firm”. Wind power is “non-firm” which means it requires back-up from other sources of power. An example of “firm” renewable energy is biomass crops.
Several governments that once embraced wind energy as a way to generate clean power are showing signs of having second thoughts.
In France regional councils have started refusing permission for new wind turbine developments. Denmark, the world leader in wind technology, is preparing to scale down installations. And Dutch officials feel that public hostility will force them to shelve plans for expanding wind capacity. Clearly wind power is a short term fashion already in decline.
