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- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household for an entire month
Wind power is helping Scotland avoid 'over a million tonnes of carbon emissions a month'
Wind turbines in Scotland provided enough electricity to supply the average needs of almost all Scotland's homes last month, according to a report.
Data from WeatherEnergy showed turbines generated 792,717MWh of electricity to the National Grid in October, up more than a quarter on the same month last year.
The amount is enough to supply the average needs of 87% of Scottish households, WWF Scotland said.
However, the figures show Scotland's total electricity consumption - including homes, business and industry - in October was 2,080,065MWh, with wind power generating just 38% of Scotland's power needs for the month.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “Thanks to a combination of increased capacity and stronger winds, output from turbines surged by more than a quarter compared to the same period last year - supplying power equivalent to the electrical needs of over two million homes.
“As well as helping to power our homes and businesses, wind power is helping Scotland to avoid over a million tonnes of polluting carbon emissions every month.
“As delegates gather in Morocco to discuss continued international action on climate change, I hope Scotland's success in cutting carbon emissions using renewable electricity inspires other countries to follow our lead.”
Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy said: “According to the Met Office, Scotland had the sunniest and one of the driest Octobers since records began.
READ MORE
Renewables surpass fossil fuel in record year for green energy
“However, the month also witnessed some powerful winds leading to a significant increase in wind power output when compared to last year. All this additional renewable electricity is good news in the battle to address global climate change.”
The figures come as the Scottish Conservatives accused the Scottish Government of overturning two-thirds of windfarm applications rejected by local authorities this year.
Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said: “The SNP's obsession with onshore wind energy is damaging Scotland's countryside and ruining local democracy.
“Too often, when these applications are lodged, the people say no, council planners say no and local elected representatives say no.
“You'd think the Scottish Government would respect this, yet still we see ministers in Edinburgh pulling rank and acting like they know what's best for rural Scotland.
“Of course wind energy has a place in Scotland's energy mix, but only when the turbines are not ruining local scenery and upsetting those who have to see them every day.”
SNP MSP Gillian Martin, who sits on Holyrood's Economy Committee, said the latest wind power figures showed the Tories approach to energy is “misguided.
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
- Tim15856
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Re: Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
Windmills are great for free power, but the costs are almost never exposed.
- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Re: Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
How about the cost of coal?
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
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Thread Starter- tennyson
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Re: Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
Put those wind machines in Congress and we could power the entire USA ! 
"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
- Just Fred
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Re: Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
What is sometimes, maybe alot of the time, are the extraneous costs. For example: Yes, converting to wind or solar power might be more expensive than coal. But, let's not ignore the costs of increased health issues associated with burning fossil fuels, especially coal. Lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, etc. along with other cardio-pulmonary related diseases are not only expensive to treat but can erode quality of life, not to mention ecosystem ramifications.
My point is we have to examine things beyond the simple price of a coal fired system vs a field of windmills or solar panels. As a side note, when I flew into Germany a couple of months ago, I was impressed by the miles and miles of windmills I saw spread across the land. I'm figuring the Germans might be on to something.
- Rongone
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Re: Scotland generates enough wind energy to power almost every household
Tim15856 wrote:
Windmills are great for free power, but the costs are almost never exposed.
Yeah, and we should outlaw solar power also.
Because of the dangers of overexposure to the sun's rays and the possibility of skin cancer. And all those healthcare costs associated with that treatment that won't be covered by Obamacare.
If you're opposed to change, you'll always find someone or something to blame.
"We fear change". Garth Algar
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