A neo-Jacobin

Wind power? More hot air than real power

In a desperate bid to appear 'green', the Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling has come up with an idea to force (notice not persuade) homeowners to put wind turbines on their roofs. Of course, to New Labour politicians, the idea of persuading 27 million people to do 'the right thing' and go 'green' is a daunting task to say the least.

Most political parties these days seem to be giving their support to wind power, however, this support has more to do with changing peoples ideas around energy consumption and changing our behaviour, than actually providing more energy for our use - why else would anyone promote wind power as an alternative to fossil fuel or nuclear power? Indeed, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingston thinks we should use less energy (be lean), and use renewable energy (be green). What his energy strategy doesn't mention is how a city like London can avoid damaging power cuts in the future.

The policy of hyping-up wind-generated energy is seriously flawed because it's not based on any critical analysis. Indeed, the European experience has shown that wind power is uncontrollable, variable and unpredictable - that's why it's misleading to describe wind power as a viable alternative energy source. Don't take my word for it, take a look at the world largest wind farm producers, Germany - an indepth report commisioned last year by the German Energy Agency states that wind generated energy is both 'expensive' and 'inefficient'.

Whether it's wind farms or personal turbines, the debate seems to be far removed from how we can properly power our country in the 21st century, but, more about shoving woolly environmental policies down peoples throats.

Read on:

Stop ill wind

posted by Courtney Hamilton @ 2:14 PM