ACTOR Peter Capaldi has helped to launch a new campaign backing offshore
wind as the future of UK energy, in the wake of tumbling prices for the
technology.
The star of The Thick Of It and Doctor Who said offshore wind “may just
save the planet” as he helped unveil the campaign at Westminster Tube
station in central London, which has been taken over with posters
advertising the fall in prices.
The campaign by a coalition of environmental groups and companies is
highlighting that the cost of offshore wind power has fallen by half since
2015, with the latest schemes securing guaranteed prices of as low as
£57.50 for the electricity they generate.
This price makes the technology cheaper than nuclear, and even gas, and
should make it the “natural choice” to play a leading role in the energy
mix, backers say.
Technological developments such as bigger turbines and the growth in the UK
supply chain have helped contribute to the falling prices.
The latest eight megawatt (MW) turbines stand almost 650ft high and produce
enough electricity to power a home for 29 hours with a single rotation of
their blades, with even bigger units in the pipeline.
Capaldi said: “Great Britain is the world leader in a technology which can
generate huge amounts of energy without using any fuel.
“It is safe, secure, zero-carbon and economical.
“In fact it’s halved in price in just two years. That’s 50 per cent off.
“It’s a great deal and it may just save the planet”.
“The future of energy in the UK is offshore wind power,” he said.
Actress Emma Thompson, who visited an offshore wind farm to help launch the
campaign, said: “It’s the most fantastic deal for the UK and it’s creating
thousands of jobs in regions where unemployment has been, of late, very high.
“It’s creating jobs, it’s regenerating coastal areas, and it’s providing
clean, beautiful green energy for us, our children and our grandchildren.”
The campaign is launched by groups including Greenpeace, WWF and the Marine
Conservation Society, as well as companies Dong Energy, General Electric,
Scottish Power Renewables, Siemens Gamesa, SSE and Vattenfall.
Industry body RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck said:
“Offshore wind has rewritten the rulebook, sending costs tumbling down,
which is great news for consumers.
“As new offshore wind is now cheaper than new gas and nuclear, it’s the
natural technology of choice to play a leading role in the UK’s modern
clean energy mix.”
0 Comments