Friday 30 April 2010

UK has tremendous wind power potential

According to the British Wind Energy Association, the UK has probably the largest offshore wind resource in the world, with relatively shallow waters and a strong wind resource extending far into the North Sea.

We're always hearing stories about wind farms not even providing enough energy to keep our electrical devices on standby. Its simply not true! In fact, the UK is estimated to have more than 33% of the total European potential offshore wind resource, which is enough to power the country nearly three times over.

The argument that we need imported foreign oil is nothing more than short-sightedness, lack of ambition and a desire to maintain the status quo.

To put that in perspective, an average coal or gas powered station produces between 1,000 and 1,500 megawatts. Yet an offshore windfarm can produce as much as 9,000 megawatts.

Monday 5 April 2010

Is the tide finally turning?

Its not often that we hear good news on the corporate front, with seemingly endless stories of corrupt oil companies deliberately sewing the seeds of climate scepticism and confusion. That's why its great to hear that about T Boone Pickens, oil explorer, corporate raider and a Texan Republican who is using part of his £1.8 billion fortune on filling the huge and windy Texas Panhandle with turbines as part of his Pickens Plan to wean America off its dependence on foreign energy.