Britain’s less than perfect weather is an ongoing complaint with the vast majority of its inhabitants, but the UK’s ever present wind may finally become the envy of its European neighbours, with ambitious new plans to power all of its homes with wind energy by the year 2020.
The plans propose the installation of about 7000 turbines around Britain’s wind-rich coastline, increasing energy production from this source by 60 times. Britain is already a leader in wind power, with several major wind farms currently in development, such as the 1 Gigawatt London project in the Thames estuary which is due to be in production by 2014.
If the plan goes to fruition, it would mean that the UK would overtake Denmark as the world’s biggest producers of wind power, and seriously reduce nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. However, there are some downsides to a wind powered Britain: electricity bills would be higher and wildlife experts warn that if placed in the wrong locations, wind farms can kill birds and disturb whales, dolphins and fish.
The plans have been welcomed by environmentalists around the world:
“Saint” a reader of Engadget commented: “The UK is just lucky it has such a resource available, which makes up for the complete lack of sun!”
OzRoy from Slashdot – “the nuts of volts of news for nerds” suggested one other positive side effect: “At least the windmills will keep the beaches cool in summer.”
He’s obviously never been to a British beach in summer.
(Picture from djmac20)
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