New wind follys announced.

magyar

The way that the markets are now structured means there is very little concept of 'base load'. There are some plants such as large oil-fired stations which actually fit your 'base load' description above but because of the price of oil, actually only run when the price is very high.

When you say 'I see no plans for other sources of supply' - have you actually looked? There are new nuclear, coal, gas and hydro plants all in the planning system.

yakky58

I spend a lot of time looking at the energy policy of this government. There are no firm plans to build anything. You are correct they may be in the 'planning stage'. None is committed, the last one was the clean coal station on the Thames that was scrapped due to Green people demonstrating against it as they are free to do.

I can't find a committed one that is to be started.

magyar

yakky58 wrote: »

I spend a lot of time looking at the energy policy of this government. There are no firm plans to build anything. You are correct they may be in the 'planning stage'. None is committed, the last one was the clean coal station on the Thames that was scrapped due to Green people demonstrating against it as they are free to do.

I can't find a committed one that is to be started.

Off the top of my head, Staythorp and Pembrokeshire CCGTs are in construction.

yakky58

Fair point on Staythorp can't see Pembroke started yet. Its still in planning stage.

magyar

yakky58 wrote: »

Fair point on Staythorp can't see Pembroke started yet. Its still in planning stage.

Yes, you're right - I think the Section 36 application is still with DECC (after 5 years!)

However I understand RWEnpower (the company building it) have secured a construction contract with Alstom to build it
http://www.rwe.com/web/cms/en/294314/rwe-npower/about-us/our-businesses/new-power-stations/pembroke/

This must surely have a cancellation clause in it in case it doesn't get consent, but clearly it shows the commitment you refer to.

And don't forget in many cases these hold ups are neither down to government or the generators. They're down to the public, to EU laws, statutory consultees etc. etc. all of which have to be taken into account.

"The planning process" is a very long one, it's certainly not just "we're wondering whether to do it or not".

yakky58

Its all 'nimby' views. I lived with a nuclear power station in the backyard, well .5 mile away as a youngster. We didn't worry about that nor do I know with power lines overhead. I'd be more worried that the power goes off.

But you can't argue with the 'nimby' approach until people realise either you accept the build or have no power.

Mids_Costcutter

yakky58 wrote: »

or have no power.

Or pay more for imported electricity?

yakky58

Why pay more and rely on imported electricity when a managed plan that is not subject to a government 5 year horizon could satisfy our needs. I think something like a proper electricity generating plan for the UK is above party politics and a proper Grid system should not be subject to the ruling government.

I also think selling it all off to private industry was a mistake. Its created a cartel whose sole aim to pay shareholders. I do accept that my pension has benefited from this in all probability, that's small beer compared to a resilient power supply.

magyar

In practice the industry has been fairly immune to the whims of ruling governments. The real problem is grid. National Grid plc are an independent company, which is a mistake. They operate according to very set rules, which just don't work very well for times of mass growth in the generation sector.

SailorSam

I'm a great fan of renewable energy, i think it's worth the spending now for the savings we'll receive in the future.
I can accept that that the wind doesn't blow all the time but here in the Uk we are a windy country and if these windfarms are in the right position they'll be a valuable asset. But more should be put into other technologies as well where we do have a guaranteed source of power such as wave and tidal.