In amongst the very partial comments you here about winds obvious variability, few point out that onshore wind also has great benefits which cannot be wished away. People frequently point out occasions when there isn’t much wind power and say how we need other fuels. What they don’t mention is the other half of the coin – how often wind power saves the day by stepping in when power plant break down and power would otherwise be very expensive. There was a neat exchange on this point in the House of Commons on Jan 18th. Callum McCaig MP said So we are backing up the cheap renewables with fossil fuels that are not so cheap, and the solution to that is to use the fossil fuels that are not so cheap all the time? That sum does not quite add up. I am not sure that I have worked out the equation.
Dave Toke’s Blog 19th Jan 2016 read more »