Wind Power and Conventional Power Stations
The issue about “not replacing conventional power stations” is completely erroneous and very misleading – between now and 2025, nine Nuclear Plants will close and a third of the UK’s coal stations (~ 6) are due to close in the next 10 years. In order to keep the lights on in the country the shortfall needs to be met – this will largely be achieved by offshore wind farms - the much more cost effective onshore windfarms will also play a large part. Yes it is true that wind is intermittent and that we need conventional (e.g. nuclear) power stations to provide a base load, but the grid can quite happily cope with over 40% of intermittent load before any major re-design is needed. It is simply disingenuous to suggest that no power stations will be shut as a result of wind farm development. It is worth noting for statistics that current UK capacity (even ignoring wind) is approximately 60% greater than demand for exactly the same reasons – i.e. what to do if one power station fails. That’s why the grid is “national”.
Dr Chris Minto