After last year’s auction failed to attract any bidders, this year nine offshore wind farms have been given government contracts. These new projects have been broadly welcomed but questions remain as to whether they will generate enough energy to meet the targets set for 2030.
How much energy will they generate?
The renewable energy contracts recently granted include tidal and solar power as well as offshore wind farms. Together they are intended to generate 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy of which 4.9 GW will come from the new offshore wind farms.for more information on the place of renewable energy in the UK.
Is this enough?
While environmental groups agree that this is a step in the right direction, it looks likely to fall short of the government’s target to generate 60 GW from offshore wind farms by 2030. But energy secretary, Ed Milliband praised this new announcement, citing the policies of the previous government that he described as broken.
Why use renewable?
Climate change is becoming a major concern and there is a wish to move energy production away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy.
Another measure we can take is to look at how we can save energy at home. Upgrading your insulation and installing air source heat pumps are both good methods. If air source heat pumps would interest you and you want to know more about how they will save energy, visit gsmlimited.com/services/air-source-heat-pumps/ for more information.
The other motivation for increasing renewable energy is to gain energy independence. One of the world’s major gas and oil producers is Russia and since their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there has been a desire to reduce our reliance on Russia as an energy producer.
Where will the offshore wind farms be?
Among the contracts granted are two offshore wind farms off the Yorkshire Coast: Hornsea 3 and Hornsea 4. These will be Europe’s largest and second-largest offshore wind farms. At present energy prices are set to rise, but the long-term aim of these offshore wind farms is to bring the bills down.
