Countries that have major investments in wind energy can provide serious lessons on the so-called benefits of wind energy for the UK. Denmark has constructed over 5000 wind turbines - that's over one per thousand population - the UK equivalent would be 60 000 turbines. Despite this huge investment, carbon emissions have risen in Denmark, and the Danish generator ELSAM has now admitted that wind farms can not reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Headlines in the Danish press indicate a different reality to the environmental fantasy currently purveyed in the UK with respect to wind power:

"Subsidies to turbines out of control"
"Gold for turbine owners"
"Electricity users led by the nose"
"Local politicians benefit from wind projects"
"....Carbon dioxide deception"
"Electricity customers cheated of billions"
"Turbine swindle"
"Openly cheating"

Before writing letters in support of the environmentally meaningless Cambridge windfarm proposal, readers of this forum may wish to consider some of the negative aspects of wind energy.

A Gearanach has been swallowing the misinformation put about by the wind farm antis, who try to justify their antipathy to wind turbines through spinning any 'evidence' they think they have found. In the case of Denmark, Elsam has in no way 'admitted' that wind cannot reduce carbon emissions. The recent rise in Denmark's emissions was due to unexpectedly large rises in power demand, which meant that highly-polluting coal plant had to be brought on line. The rise also does not reflect the reductions in carbon emissions from other countries that come from exports of Denmark's wind power. Without wind power, Denmark's emissions would be higher than they are, which is why the country is expanding its wind generating capacity so that wind generates 25% of Denmark's power by 2008, up from 20% now. Hardly the actions of a country that is rejecting wind power.

For those who wish to have more information with which to battle the antis, visit www.embracewind.com, the site of the British Wind Energy Association's Embrace the Revolution campaign. Along with facts with which to counter the myths, you can sign up to show your support, along with over 10,000 others. If you want to get directly involved with campaigns in favour of wind farms like the Boxworth project, go to www.yes2wind.com, which is run by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and WWF. That gives information on battles near you and how to get involved.

Gordon Edge
Head of Offshore
BWEA

As an individual with vested interests in wind energy, Mr Edge would be delighted if you were to believe the spin promoted on his chosen web links. Would you give credence to a representative of a tobacco company pronouncing on the health benefits of cigarettes? The wind industry stands to extract millions of pounds of public subsidies (i.e. - our taxes) if their environmentally questionable designs are imposed upon the UK.

Notwithstanding Mr Edge's attempts to sanitise data that serves to embarrass his industry, Danish carbon emissions have risen despite the construction of thousands of wind turbines. A representative of the Danish generator ELSAM did indeed state at a Copenhagen energy conference in May 2004 "the increased development of wind turbines does not reduce Danish carbon emissions". Indymedia readers should heed the words of the Danish minister for the economy and commerce, Mr Berndt Bendtsen. Speaking about renewable energy in Denmark Mr Bendtsen said:

"We are deeply worried over the costs to the nation and over the consequences for our international competitiveness if we continue to invest in alternative energy"

Readers may also wish to study the latest wind energy report from the German grid operator Eon-netz. Unlike the vested-interest promoted spin purveyed in the UK, the Eon-Netz report is derived from practical experiences of wind energy. This document describes the failure to close a single conventional power station as a result of the construction of over 15000 wind turbines. Extensive back up was required from conventional power stations in the Eon Netz region. No power could be generated from the wind in either hot summer or cold winter weather. The load factor was a miserable 18%, and only 11% for six months of the year.

(Eon-Netz 2004 wind report – English:  http://www.eon-netz.com/ )


Wind energy is increasingly recognised as hazardous to birds. Wind turbines have killed thousands of birds and bats. This is even acknowledged by the flagship journal of the wind industry "Windpower Monthly", which described a Spanish wind farm as "wreaking havoc with the natural order of raptor life on two continents". The same journal has also reported "serious and unexpected kills" of bats by wind turbines in the United States. The construction of wind power stations has recently been halted in the Brandenburg area of Germany due to extensive kills of protected birds including the endangered red kite.

Investment in wind energy has been a costly mistake in other countries. The wind industry is currently fighting for its economic life. WindPower Monthly, the flagship journal of the industry that Mr Edge so desperately attempts to promote, recently stated:

"Why should the reactionary antics of a has-been island off the north European coast be of concern to the international wind power industry? Because if Britain's current energy policies give way under the pressure, the wind market will collapse, taking with it the reputation of this entire industry."

Full article on:  http://windpower-monthly.com/sep04/leader.htm


Mr Edge categorises those who dare to oppose his views as "swallowing misinformation" Yet ultimately, who should decide what constitutes misinformation? - Someone with powerful vested interests? By all means read the links suggested by Mr Edge. But study carefully what he would prefer you not to read:

General:

 http://wind-farm.org
 http://www.viewsofscotland.org/
 http://www.countryguardian.net/

Wind farms and carbon emissions:
 http://www.iberica2000.org/Es/Articulo.asp?Id=1186
 http://www.iberica2000.org/Es/Articulo.asp?Id=849
 http://wind-farm.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=133&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Information on rising carbon emissions in Denmark:
 http://www.viewsofscotland.org/Library/VoSNews%20Vol%202%20No%202.pdf

Bird genocide by wind turbines - contains links to powerful images of birds killed by wind turbines:
 http://www.iberica2000.org/Es/Articulo.asp?Id=1223

Avian mortality of wind turbines:
 http://www.ncpa.org/studies/renew/renew2d.html

Further, we have no idea who A Gearanach represents, so have no cause to believe (or disbelieve) what he says.

These guys who he refers to, however, are highly suspect:

 http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Center_for_Policy_Analysis