Some ten years ago when myself and Miranda Lavey led trhe Wales Green Party we warmed you that this day would come.We experienced abuse from the anti wind farm brigade we pointed out links between this campaigns, the pro nuclear lobby, and the climate change deniers. I take no pleasure in saying WE told you so.
We could have six times the power-generation capacity for the same money by investing in wind turbines instead of the 24.5 billion-pound ($37.9 billion) Hinkley Point nuclear reactor.
That’s the conclusion of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, a London-based research group that estimates the cost of power from renewables in the U.K. are rivaling fossil fuels even without subsidy. Wind easily beats the more expensive nuclear plant that Electricite de France SA is building with the support of investment from China.
That’s the conclusion of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, a London-based research group that estimates the cost of power from renewables in the U.K. are rivaling fossil fuels even without subsidy. Wind easily beats the more expensive nuclear plant that Electricite de France SA is building with the support of investment from China.
The findings highlights the trade-offs Tory David Cameron weighed in his decision to support EDF’s bid to build the first new reactors in the U.K. in more than two decades. In backing nuclear and maneuvering to draw Chinese funds in a deal due on Wednesday, Cameron prioritized reliability of supply and the impact on the Nimbys over cost.
In many places, notably the U.K., wind is cheaper than nuclear. The new EDF plant at Hinkley Point will sell electricity for 92.50 pounds per megawatt-hour. That compares with lowest contract price of 79.23 pounds for supplies from onshore wind-power plants that the government awarded in February after a competitive auction.
Hinkley Point will supply 3.2 gigawatts of electricity to the grid. Spending the equivalent money on wind would give 21 gigawatts of capacity, said David Hostert, a wind energy analyst at BNEF in London.
In many places, notably the U.K., wind is cheaper than nuclear. The new EDF plant at Hinkley Point will sell electricity for 92.50 pounds per megawatt-hour. That compares with lowest contract price of 79.23 pounds for supplies from onshore wind-power plants that the government awarded in February after a competitive auction.
Hinkley Point will supply 3.2 gigawatts of electricity to the grid. Spending the equivalent money on wind would give 21 gigawatts of capacity, said David Hostert, a wind energy analyst at BNEF in London.
There’s also tightening environmental rules that restrict fossil fuel use and put a price on carbon-dioxide emissions. In the U.K. there’s incentives for generators that deliver baseload power. Nuclear qualifies. Wind does not.
All those variables change over the life span of the power plant, which can stretch for decades.
Onshore wind today is already the cheapest form of energy generation in the U.K.,We see nuclear plants at $190 per megawatt-hour” compared with $85 for wind. The wind industry could be able to compete without subsidies, but not if the playing field isn’t level. And its quite clear that a Prophets words are not listened to in their own country.
All those variables change over the life span of the power plant, which can stretch for decades.
Onshore wind today is already the cheapest form of energy generation in the U.K.,We see nuclear plants at $190 per megawatt-hour” compared with $85 for wind. The wind industry could be able to compete without subsidies, but not if the playing field isn’t level. And its quite clear that a Prophets words are not listened to in their own country.
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