Sheephouse Heights wind farm
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Reliable energy

The United Kingdom possesses one of the most abundant sources of wind energy in Europe. As a result it has the potential to provide a considerable proportion of the UK energy market in years to come.

Fossil fuel (gas, oil, coal etc) resources also continue to be depleted and a report by the United Kingdom Parliament in 2004 stated that the global gas reserves (proven, probable and possible) would last for approximately 60 years at the present rate of consumption.

In the long term, a diverse mix of energy resources will be needed and wind generated power is an important contributor. Wind is an indigenous, safe, clean and plentiful source of energy.

In the UK there are now 165 operational wind farms totaling 2,393 MW. These produce, on average, electricity equivalent to the total needs of over 1.21 million homes (source: British Wind Energy Association).

Currently wind is the most cost-effective and technologically advanced source of renewable energy generation.

Renewable energy targets

In March 2007, European Union leaders at a climate change summit in Brussels agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020.

The UK has an obligation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12.5% by 2008-12. A climate change bill introduced to Parliament in November 2007 puts into statute the U.K.'s target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by 2 at least 80 % by 2050 and 26-32% by 2020 (source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

The Government has set a target of 10% of electricity supply to be sourced from renewable energy by 2010 and 20% by 2020. In 2005, 4% of the U.K.'s electricity supply came from eligible sources of renewable energy.