Wind farms close as EU imports cheaper wind from Third World
British wind farmers are facing bankruptcy after European Union trade rules have left them unable to compete against cheaper wind from Africa and the Far East.
‘I’m facing complete ruin’ said Giles Merridon, from Cumbria. ‘This wind farm has been in my family for five, maybe six years. But it’s just not viable anymore. A whole way of life is disappearing in our countryside. Entire communities that have grown up knowing nothing but wind farming will be cast on the scraphead. Along with a load of very expensive wind turbines, obviously.’
Over the past decade the number of wind farms across the United Kingdom has rocketed as pressure from the environmental lobby persuaded the government that wind power provided a cheap and clean source of renewable energy. But with capital costs so much lower in sub-Saharan Africa, European wind farmers are suddenly complaining that they are being undercut by imports cheaper wind which they claim is of a far lower quality.
‘It’s almost as if people don’t care where the wind comes from as long as their light switch works,’ claimed Mr Merridon. ‘It’s like they are watching the telly without giving a second thought to the source of their electricity; England, Scotland or this rubbish low-grade wind from Kenya.’
One consumer admitted ‘I’m not sure who provides my leccy to be honest. A bloke came to the door from the Gas Board and said they would provide it more cheaply, but then I think I was persuaded to get it from Sky or British Telecom or someone. I do get a bill from Southern Electric, but I think that’s for my water. Or is it my broadband connection?’
However one enterprising former wind farmer has managed to survive by heading into the problem. After his wind farm closed down in 2005, Rhys Thomas set up the Powys Wind Farm Heritage Museum; ‘We have guides dressed in traditional 2001 clothes. We have an interactive model of the National Grid as it was at the turn of the century. And the whole Visitor Centre is powered by traditional British wind power. Except there was no breeze again today so we had another power cut.’
NewsBiscuit
Posted: Dec 11th, 2007 by NewsBiscuit
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