Wales embraces wind power

The sum of £2 million has been awarded in contracts for local firms to build a 250-turbine wind farm off of the North West coast of Wales. It will be the world's second largest off shore wind farm and will generate enough power to supply around half a million homes annually. The project will be led by RWE Innogy and will be completed by 2014. The wind farm has been dubbed Gwynt y Mor, which means sea wind in Welsh.

Paul Cowling, managing director of Npower renewables, working for RWE believes, "The decision underlines the Government's commitment to massively expanding renewable energy generation in the UK to help tackle climate change and improve security of energy supply." Now that the UK Government has given the project a green light the UK looks to be the leader in this renewable energy sector.

The construction of the wind farm will turn North Wales into a "powerhouse for renewable energy" says Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, "The UK is leading the world in offshore wind, and the developments off the coast of North Wales will help keep us front runners." David Cameron was, until recently, opposed to the construction of wind farms in Wales, but Miliband's work has helped gain the approval of the UK Government.

By 2015 the UK Government aims to supply 15 per cent of its electricity from renewable resources. Projects like the Gwynt y Mor wind farm will hopefully help to achieve this, it has been estimated that this project alone will prevent the release of around 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. "This is the first of what I hope will be many examples of how we can make the most of our island's huge renewable energy potential" expresses UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne. He believes that wind power will become an important investment in the expansion of the renewable energy industry.

However, there has been some opposition to the Gwynt y Mor wind farm from protest groups such as Save Our Scenery especially as Centrica is proposing another wind farm off the coast of Anglesey. There are fears that Wales' coastline will become industrialised, as when Gwynt y Mor Wales is completed the country will boast four offshore wind farms. There are also some concerns that the projects won't even be entirely dependable as wind power can be unreliable. However, groups such as the Sustainable Energy Alliance hail the wind farm as a great contributor to the fight against climate change.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan asserts that Wales is located in the perfect location to embrace the economic benefits of sustainable alternative energy. "Surrounded by wind, wave and tidal resources, we are in a prime position to be able to benefit from investment in the green economy whilst making a significant contribution to the government's carbon reduction targets through safe, clean renewable means."

Author: Rachael Bristow | Climate Action

Image: phault | Flickr