Benefits
‘Wind is an indigenous, safe, clean and plentiful source of energy. Modern wind turbines are one of the most cost effective and advanced renewable generation technologies available.'
The UK is currently facing three major challenges to our electricity supply;
Environmental - Electricity generated from fossil fuels accounts for 33% of the UK's carbon emissions*. This is widely accepted that this is a major cause of climate change.
Security of Supply - As a result of the UK's supplies of fossil fuels such as North Sea oil and gas depleting, we are increasingly reliant on imports.
Cost- As global demand for fossil fuels increase, so too will the price. This results in higher costs of electricity for the consumer.'
*Dept. Of Energy and Climate Change: Energy Trends March 2009- Special Feature: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Table 1- CO2 Emissions by Source
Environmental and Economical Benefits
National Targets - This windfarm will make a contribution to national targets for the provision of renewable electricity generation.
Diversifying Energy Supply - It will contribute to the UK government goal of diversifying the supply of energy and reducing energy imports in order to gain supply security.
Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions - By reducing world carbon dioxide emissions it will directly contribute to reducing the extent and rate of global climate change.
It will strengthen the renewable energy industry and the associated employment opportunities in the UK which the Government hopes will provide 1.2 million jobs by 2020 (DECC, 2009). There will also be direct and indirect economic benefits for the local community during the construction phase of the project.
The Hill of Fiddes Wind Farm is expected, on the basis of the measured onsite wind data and long term wind statistics, to generate between 17,400,000 kWh (units) of electricity annually, enough to power 3700 average homes.
