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Which Way the Wind Blows? Wind energy production in the UK

Wind power and the electricity it can generate is a growing area of interest for politicians, scientists, business organisations and individuals. With the UK committed to producing a fifth of its electricity from 'green' sources by 2020, wind power could play a very important part in reaching that target. But despite efforts that have seen wind-generated electricity doubling in the UK in the past two years, we still only produce just over 4% of our total electricity from renewables (wind, solar, hydro and biomass). So is the burden going to fall on us as individuals to contribute to wind energy production? This Wanna Argument pits our two windbags against each other as they blow hot and cold over wind energy production in the UK.

Cool breeze

All hot air

	Been down the DIY store then?
			Yeah. Give us a hand with these boxes.
	What you got in here then, new central heating system?
			Nah, it's one of those new wind turbine thingys. I'm tired of the massive energy bills I'm paying. Going green, you know? Hoping to save a packet too.
	Um, I don't think so... total rip-off, if you ask me.
			What do you mean? Sounded like a winner to me - take the natural power of the wind, make electricity, use what I need and sell the rest back to the Grid - no-brainer I reckon. What could go wrong?
	Well, there's the council, your neighbours, the fact that your house is at the bottom of a hill surrounded by high rises - I could go on.
			That's the trouble with people these days - so negative! Just like with that nice Dave Cameron - stopping him bunging one up on the roof of his house. Why would anyone want to do that? He's a proper leader, if you ask me.
	Why would anyone want to stop him? 'Cos he's a publicity-seeking politician, duping poor fools like you, just to get votes! Can't think of a better reason myself.

Are wind turbines catching on in the UK?

			See what I mean? Everyone's doing it. It's cheap, good for the environment and good for the country. You should follow my example, mate!
	What, and end up with a rickety mini-windmill attached to my lovely suburban semi, pulling the plaster off the roof, making a hell of a racket whenever the wind actually does blow strong enough? Reckon this could all be a con job, myself. If you want to do something about energy conservation, you could stop driving your motor down to the superstore whenever you get hoodwinked into buying into the latest fad!
			Yeah, whatever! You'll find yourself down there soon enough. Us Brits are going to lead the world in going green - mark my words!

Is the UK really setting the pace in wind energy?

	There you go, as I thought, you've been fooled into thinking that you're leading the way when, in fact, Britain's way behind the pace - as usual!
			That's not what the bloke in the DIY store told me. He said, 'put this up on your roof and you'll be laughing all the way to the bank, as well as helping Britain get ahead in the race to go green'.
	You'll believe anything, won't you!

Why is the UK languishing?

			Anyway, I'm sure the take-up of wind turbines will start growing soon. I'll just be one of the first to benefit, that's all. It's just a question of time before they catch on.
	Hmm, we'll see. I reckon there's as much chance of people following your lead as there is of you getting that turbine home, unpacked and installed on your roof this side of Christmas.
			Oh, I don't know. They're supposed to be sending someone round to do the install sometime this week. I can't wait! I have to admit to being ignorant about the science involved
	What? In getting someone out to fit that thing?
			No! The turbine itself, you know, how does it all work?
	Well, I think it's the same idea as a windmill, isn't it? Wind blows windmill's arms, arms turn, central axle turns whatever it is you want powered.
			You see, you've lost me already.
	I dunno. You mean you bought something without any idea of how it works?
			Yeah, what's wrong with that? You couldn't mend that dodgy DVD player you bought down the market, could you? Same difference with this, I reckon.
	Hope the same bloke I bought the player off didn't sell you that turbine!
			Now you come to mention it, he did look a bit familiar.
	Good grief!

How do wind turbines actually work?

			Oh, simple as that, eh?
	Yeah, don't know why you bothered buying one - you could have knocked one up in your garden shed, couldn't you?
			I don't know why you're being so aggressive today. Something's really riled you, hasn't it?
	Yes. It just really gets me that Joe Public is being drawn in to this whole renewable energy thing. I mean, if we had just used our resources properly in this country, we wouldn't be in this position.
			What position?
	You know, having to produce a certain amount of energy from 'green' sources. It really frustrates me that we had the chance with North Sea oil to put our money into big scale wind and solar projects. Now we've blown that cash and the man in the street is having to cough up for poxy wind turbines that don't really work.
			I never knew you were so interested in the whole thing.
	Well, when I was a youngster, the North Sea oil was just coming on tap. But back then, if you said we should all be going 'green', you were labelled as a sandal-wearing, muesli-eating hippie. And believe me, you didn't want to be called that, not in 1980.
			No, especially when you were trying to be a punk rocker!

Has the UK squandered its North Sea oil and gas windfall?

	That's a lot of money that could have gone into 'green' energy projects, don't you reckon?
			Hard to get my head around those kind of figures, though.
	Yeah, but imagine if we'd put that kind of money into those kinds of things in that list. Perhaps you wouldn't be thinking of having to buy a wind turbine?
			Why not? That list said they could encourage us to use more eco-friendly things.
	Uh huh, but we'd have been doing those things for years. You wouldn't just be reacting to politicians being trendy. It would be part of daily life. Instead, we've blown all that dosh on building roads and new airport terminals.
			Time to think ahead and be a bit positive for you, mate. That report said there's still time to start putting that North Sea money into environmentally-friendly things.
	Yeah, but they're just a think-tank. You're not going to get a politician taking it seriously. We're talking about the long-term, not getting elected in four or five years' time!
			Perhaps they're just starting to do that. Like that bloke Cameron I mentioned - solar panels and wind turbines all over the shop at his place.
	Yeah, but from what I read, his turbine's going to take about 40 years to pay for itself. Now that's long-term thinking!

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