RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive responds to the IPPR report on de-rating onshore wind turbines

LONDON, 12-2-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Responding to the IPPR report on de-rating onshore wind turbines, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said:

“The wind industry adheres strictly to the legally-binding guidelines drawn up by Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change on how turbines operate. When issues have arisen, RenewableUK has drawn them to the attention of Government and regulators so that we can work together to find solutions. As the independent regulator, Ofgem oversees the system to ensure compliance.

De-rating is a complex issue – for example, it may be necessary because of limits in the capacity of the grid to cope with the amount of electricity that’s being generated, or because a site where the wind is lower needs a turbine with longer blades to make the best use of it. The IPPR report doesn’t take account of these legitimate reasons for using the right turbine in the right location.

It’s also worth remembering that we’re talking here about 103 operational turbines at the most. That’s less than 1% of the 12,000 small, medium and large-scale onshore wind turbines generating in the UK. “De-rated turbines don’t actually cost consumers more money overall as the Feed-in Tariff budget is capped by Government at a specific level, which means that once the pot of money is used up there is no more. The system is specifically designed on a sliding scale so that the more turbines that are built, the lower the rate of support. This tapering of support is absolutely the right way to ensure that consumers are protected, while helping ensure that UK householders, farms and businesses benefit directly from wind energy. We want to work with Government and the regulator to make the most of the UK’s exceptional wind resource and ensure that small businesses and individuals are encouraged to generate clean energy”.

Media Contacts:

• Jennifer Webber, Director of External Affairs, 020 7901 3012 or 07792 463445
  
• Robert Norris, Head of Communications, 020 7901 3013 or 07969 229913
  
• Adam Wentworth, Communications Officer, 020 7901 3038 or 07791 702 702

RenewableUK is the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association, specialising in onshore wind, offshore wind and wave & tidal energy. Formed in 1978, we have an established, large corporate membership ranging from small independent companies, to large international corporations and manufacturers. Acting as a central point of information and a united, representative voice for our membership, we conduct research; find solutions; organise events, facilitate business development, and promote wind and marine renewables to government, industry, the media and the public. Our vision is for renewable energy to play a leading role in powering the UK.