- It has 40% of Europe’s wind due to its position in the North West of Europe where it bears the full brunt of weather systems coming in from the North Atlantic.
- It has the longest coastline in Europe (the island of Great Britain has a coastline of 17,820 km according to the Ordnance Survey).
- It has many shallow waters, ideal for off-shore wind.
- It has many sparsely populated upland areas, mainly in the North which is also the region with the most significant wind resources.
- 77% of Britons are in favour of electricity from renewables.
- 73% of Britons support offshore wind and 66% onshore wind installations.
- Only 17% of Britons support additional gas/coal power stations.
- Only 40% of Britons support additional nuclear power stations.
- The main advantage is the low carbon nature of wind power. It is a completely 'clean' energy, other than the manufacture and construct on of the pylons, blades and turbines.
- Wind power generation is relatively silent.
- The wind is strongest in the winter months when energy demand is at its highest.
- Many jobs are created in designing, manufacturing, and servicing the equipment.
- A 7% reduction in UK carbon emissions versus 1990
- A quarter of a million UK jobs by 2050
- Annual revenues of some £19 billion by 2050
- The main disadvantage is the unpredictable nature of wind speeds resulting in turbines being immobile for significant periods.
- It is difficult to store generated power.
- Wind turbines tend to be large and very visible within the countryside.
- China (62.4)
- USA (46.9)
- Germany (29.1)
- Spain (21.7)
- India (15.9)
- Italy (6.7)
- France (6.6)
- United Kingdom (6.5)
- Carbon capture and storage.
- Energy Act.
- Energy storage.
- Geothermal pile foundations.
- Ground energy options.
- Large scale solar thermal energy.
- Nimbyism.
- Renewable energy.
- Rainwater harvesting.
- Sustainability.
- Solar photovoltaics.
- Solar thermal energy.
- Wind farm.
- Wind turbine.
- Windcatcher.
- [http://www.decc.gov.uk/ www.decc.gov.uk] Department of Energy and Climate Change
- [http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/files/library/publications/statistics/Wind_in_power_2011_European_statistics.pdf http://www.ewea.org] European Wind Energy Association
- Carbon Trust [http://www.carbontrust.com/offshorewind Offshore Wind Accelerator]
- [http://www.wmo.int/ http://www.wmo.int] World Meteorological Organization.
Last edited 16 Mar 2021
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Government approach could undermine delivery and regeneration.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.
Water sector faces a growing crisis that could slow the delivery of vital infrastructure.