By Vanessa Allen
Wind turbines produced just 10 per cent of their energy capacity during
almost a fortnight of the last three months, it was claimed yesterday.
Monitors tracking the energy generated from Britain’s wind farms found 12
days when output dropped to 10 per cent of capacity or less, according to
the GMB union.
It said its ‘wind watch’ figures demonstrated that Britain could not rely
on renewable energy and needed nuclear or gas-powered plants to ensure its
supply.
Britain has invested £1.25billion in wind power, which is now the country’s
biggest renewable energy source.
But critics have accused the Government and the National Grid of
complacency over the risk of blackouts following the closure of coal-fired
power stations.
A wind shortage last month (November) forced the National Grid to use new
‘last resort’ measures to keep the lights on in homes across the country on
November 4.
Major industries were asked to down tools to protect energy supplies
following high demand, power plant breakdowns and low wind power output.
At one point, wind farms were meeting only 0.5 per cent of the nation’s
electricity demand, compared to the average 10 per cent.
But in late November, dozens of wind turbines had to be switched off due to
safety concerns when Storm Barney hit Britain.
Gusts of up to 85mph swept across the country, prompting fears they could
overload the system or damage turbines.
The GMB, which supports more gas-fired power plants, said wind power
produced 10 per cent or less of its energy capacity on 12 days during the
three months from October 1 to December 21.
The figures related to wind farms connected to the national transmission
system and not to turbines connected to local networks.
GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny said: ‘The renewables lobby has to face up
to the need for a base load electricity capacity that is reliable and clean
on the days that the wind does not blow and the sun doesn’t shine.
‘When your electricity supply has ‘Gone with the Wind’, the response of the
renewable energy suppliers that ‘Frankly my dear we don’t give a damn’ is
just not acceptable.’
Industry body RenewableUK has insisted that wind power is a ‘success story’
for Britain, and generated 9.5 per cent of the UK’s electricity from July
to September, the last period for which figures were available.
Overall, 23.5 per cent of the UK’s electricity for the same period was
generated by renewable sources, including bioenergy, solar and hydro power.
RenewableUK and the Department of Energy and Climate Change did not respond
to requests for comment on the GMB figures.
A National Grid spokeswoman said: ‘A diverse mix of generation is essential
to the national transmission network in terms of security of supply.’
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