Craig Hatch, Managing Director, Surveying & Asset Management at WYG and Simon Sjenitzer, Director – Asset & Project Management at WYG. According to a recent report by Imperial College London, Britain’s windfarms provided more electricity than its nuclear power stations in the first quarter of 2018. This was reported in the news as the first time wind had overtaken nuclear over a three month period. At the recent All Energy conference in Glasgow we heard presentations along similar lines from the renewable energy lobby organisation. Yet these kind of comparisons, which pitch wind generation against nuclear, are unhelpful and falsely suggest this is a zero-sum competition between two entirely different sectors. In short, we need a balanced energy mix of zero-low carbon generation which satisfies UK demand in a secure and affordable manner. Cost is certainly an important issue and one common assertion is that nuclear energy is more expensive than offshore wind. Yet, until last year, the support price for offshore wind has historically been far higher than the proposed nuclear strike price, and we are yet to see associated infrastructure costs properly added to the equation. Both nuclear and wind energy have important roles to play in the provision of UK energy and it is important we focus on providing energy supplies that satisfy the highest possible technical, environmental and ethical compliance standards. Wind and nuclear are low carbon allies, not foes. Together they provide the answer to the UK Energy Trilemma.
Energy Voice 28th May 2018 read more »
