Here is a copy of a reply to a letter concerning Scottish energy policy. It is based on the false assumption that carbon is responsible for global warming and that it is necessary to go all out for wind. I do not disagree about conservation but our electricity bills are being overloaded to up to 20% for development and 11% for carbon. As said by one realist, a lot of WAFFLE!!
Thank you for your e-mail of 10 January 2013 to Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland,
regarding wind farms. I work in the Energy Division of the Scottish Government and have
been asked to respond.
Whilst Ministers believe it is right to make the most of the opportunities that are offered by
our abundant natural energy resources, this must be done in a way that protects the
environment and takes account of local communities. Scottish Government only wants to
see the right developments in the right places - one-fifth of Scotland’s Landscape is
nationally or internationally designated is offered considerable protection from development
under Scottish Planning policy. In addition, there is no development in our National Parks
and only two community developments in National Scenic Areas, both in fragile island
communities.
A robust and transparent planning process is in place to ensure that each windfarm
application is assessed on its own merits, taking into account the views of all interested
parties, as well as the potential impact on the local environment. Scottish Planning policy
specifically advises that 'the design and location of any wind farm development should reflect
the scale and character of the landscape. The location of turbines should be considered
carefully to ensure that the landscape and visual impact is minimised.'
With regards to costs to consumers, Ofgem's Project Discovery Report shows that fuel bills
have risen considerably of late with increases averaging up to £190 largely due to volatile
wholesale fuel prices. UK Government predicts that pursuing low carbon policies would
make the average energy bill 7% lower when compared to carrying on with business as
usual. Renewable incentives currently add only around £15-£20 to annual household utility
bills in Scotland, a tiny sum in comparison to last year’s price hikes – precisely the reason
we need to invest in our own secure energy supply. Therefore, whilst the perception may
exist that it is renewables that have driven the major rises in fuel bills, this is not the case.
They have been substantially driven by the volatility in the gas market. Ofgem have
produced a factsheet explaining household energy bills:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/FactSheets/Documents1/household-bills.pdf.
Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU
www.scotland.gov.uk
I note your concerns regarding efficiency and can confirm wind farms, in comparison with
other generators, are relatively efficient. We know that no form of electricity generation is
100% efficient. Less than half the energy of the fuel going into a conventional thermal power
station is turned into useful electricity – most of it is wasted and still ends up producing ash,
nuclear waste or air pollution harmful to health as well as carbon dioxide. Also, the fuel for a
wind farm does not need to be mined, refined or shipped and transported from foreign
countries. Conventional fuels are not an unlimited, ever replenishing resource like wind.
Although wind farm output is variable, it can be forecast with some confidence and be useful
as one component of a balanced energy mix of renewables and conventional power sources.
When the amount of wind farm capacity which is contracted to supply the grid with power
rises, there is an impact on the amount of reserve capacity the grid needs to maintain its
overall security against the likelihood the wind power output is less than predicted. However,
independent studies show it is not true that wind farms need new dedicated back up on a
one-for-one basis. The impact of added wind generation on the backup the grid already has
is relatively small. Scotland has more generating capacity than it needs to meet the peak
demand for power, including a large amount of hydro-electric capacity which is relatively
easy to start up and shut down quickly as needed.
No energy will be wasted as we move to a low carbon generation mix. Some forms of
generation may be constrained at times of peak wind, but systems will be put in place to
manage these processes. The UK Government has recently consulted on these questions
as part of its electricity market
reform;http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/emr/emr.aspx.
The Scottish Government regards sensitively sited wind energy as an important part of the
Scottish Government’s strategy for achieving long-term energy security and protecting
Scotland’s environment for generations to come. However, we will not rely on this source of
electricity to meet all our energy needs. We expect new and established technologies
including (but not limited to) wave, tidal, hydro and biomass combined heat and power to be
fundamental to Scotland’s future energy generation. Nonetheless, onshore wind will continue
to be a vital component in Scotland’s energy mix. Investment in onshore wind is strategically
critical to the delivery of the grid infrastructure, supply chain and skills development that will
be necessary to unlock the full potential of our offshore resource and technologies. Without
deployment of onshore wind, Scotland would be forced to rebuild thermal generation plants
and as a consequence, we would be “locked in” to thermal generation for decades to come.
Yours sincerely,
Kirsty Howaniec
Policy Officer
