Wind farms are not just hot air

CONSUMERS can opt to have their power supplied by wind farms as part of the Government‘s commitment to generate 10% of power by renewable energy from 2010.

There are already 1,000 wind turbines in operation in the country, with hundreds more due to come on stream as part of the move to meet the Government‘s green targets.

Consumers can switch to a green electricity provider in the same way that they have been able to switch from one utility to another.

Price is also no longer the obstacle it once was. Ecotricity, for example, promises to match rivals prices.

The company‘s managing director, Dale Vince, admits that cost used to be a problem.

'Most people would switch to green but were put off by the cost. Now we‘ve made it possible for people to do it in less than five minutes on the phone and at no extra cost. 'We‘ll sell them power generated by our wind turbines at the same price as the energy they currently use from traditional power stations.'

Although public concern over the environment is mounting, there has been opposition to some planning applications for wind farms. And this has prompted concern about the Government‘s ability to reach its target for generating energy from renewable sources.

Last week research by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Carbon Trust found there was more than enough wind energy development in place already for this target to be achieved.

But while these will deliver about 70% of the Government's target by 2006, the full potential will not be achieved without major upgrades to the transmission and distribution network.

David Vincent, director of technology at the Carbon Trust, said: 'Planning, design and construction of grid reinforcement can currently take up to 10 years, so time is running out. The Government has an integral role to play in urgently accelerating the planning process, while also considering public and community interests.'

Opposition of the not-in-my-backyard (Nimby) type has stymied some wind farm developments but Ecotricity‘s Dale Vince says new technology means some of this is misplaced.

'It‘s a small but vocal minority of people. Opinion polls show about 80% of people in favour of wind farms, with just 10% against. Turbines have changed radically in the last few years. Even four years ago they were more obtrusive and noisy, that is not the case now.'

London's first wind park and Europe's first city-based wind farm at Ford's Dagenham estate in Essex will start generating power in the next few days.

The two, 85 metre high turbines will provide all the electricity needs of Ford's new diesel engine assembly plant.

Ford of Britain chairman Roger Putnam said the business case for wind power had been made. He added:

'There were very good business and environmental reasons for embarking on this project. Green power from Ecotricity is not costing Ford a penny more and there are huge environmental benefits too.

'Thousands of tonnes of power station emissions are saved by switching our electricity source for the Dagenham Diesel Centre to wind power.'

Ecotricity switching line: 0800 032 6100.