UK wind industry hits back at critics

The UK wind industry has hit back at its critics, with a new campaign insisting the renewable source of power is a better option than gas.

Campaigners say wind will help keep costs down

Wind power has suffered a series of attacks in recent weeks, with more than 100 Tory MPs calling for the scrapping of subsidies for “inefficient” on-shore wind power and a former chief scientist warning the cost of off-shore wind was “phenomenal”.

And in last Thursday’s Budget Chancellor George Osborne gave qualified support to renewables, before giving strong backing to gas which he said was cheap, cleaner than coal and would remain the UK’s single biggest source of energy for decades.

But now a coalition of renewable energy companies and manufacturers are leading a fight-back, with an advert in the Spectator suggesting that backing wind is the patriotic choice for Britain’s energy supplies.

The coalition has set up a website with a “myth-busting” page to tackle concerns over wind power. The site warns that the UK is becoming increasingly dependent on imported gas for energy – with imports set to make up 70 per cent of gas supplies by 2020.

The campaigners say gas prices have trebled in the last decade, pushing up energy bills, and that wind will help keep costs down.

Ian Mays, chief executive of RES group, leading UK independent renewable energy generator and developer, said: “We need wind because our old coal and nuclear plants face closure, and there is no better alternative to provide energy security.

“Other energy sources are either imported, more expensive, emit more carbon, or will take so long to build that they will not fill the looming energy gap. Wind power on the other hand is secure, clean and quick to build. “Britain’s inexhaustible supplies of wind energy will keep bills down for homes and industry as foreign gas prices continue to go up.

“At the same time wind power creates jobs and investment, putting the UK at the forefront of the green economy.”

The alliance of British companies supporting the pro-wind campaign includes RES Group, SSE, Good Energy, Ecotricity, generator Mainstream, wind turbine manufacturer Evance and Partnerships for Renewables.