Wind Energy

Scottish wind power meets electricity demand

 During the last weekend in August, wind power met the demand for electricity for the first time in the north and northeast of Scotland. In Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness wind power kept the lights on, the washing machines turning and the kettles boiling from 8.00 on Saturday 28 August to 9.00 on 29 August.

Just over 700 MW of wind energy was produced in that time frame, while consumer demand for electricity was just under 700 MW, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said.

Alan Broadbent, from Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, said that this “milestone demonstrates that wind turbines can produce substantial amounts of energy, as part of a diverse mix, and that electricity networks can accommodate it.”

When it comes to renewables, Scotland has a good track record with nearly a quarter of Scottish demand being met by renewable energy sources on average. Jim Mather, Scotland’s energy minister, stated: “We are already on track to surpass our target of meeting 31% of electricity demand from renewables by 2011, and, onshore and offshore wind farm will play a part in exceeding our 50% target by 2020.”

Meanwhile, the Morning Star online last week noted that a report commissioned by Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise, found that the wind power industry could create 28,000 jobs and £7.1 billion of investment for the Scottish economy by 2020.

By Zoë Casey, blog.ewea.org/