coast DISCOVERY
How do the turbines work?
As the blades turn, a gearbox inside increases the rotation speed, so that inbuilt generators can convert the energy created by wind power into electricity. The electricity is then transmitted down cables to substations, where it is fed first into the regional, then the national, grid.
How many people work in the industry?
The number of people employed, both directly and indirectly, by the British wind industry increased steadily from 35,900 in 2013 to 82,800 in 2018. Offshore wind alone supported over 31,000 jobs in 2022 - up from 26,000 in 2021. Employment in offshore wind is expected to reach 97,000 by 2030. 61,000 of those will be employed by the industry directly, while 36,000 will be employed in supporting sectors.
How are wind farms regulated?
The Crown Estate manages the seabed around England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They have the power to grant licences to companies wishing to build wind farms up to 200 nautical miles offshore, under rights provided to them by the Energy Act 2004.
Companies wishing to construct an offshore wind farm have to go through a vigorous application process, which takes into account surveys, inspections, and impact assessments on wildlife. The wind farms also have to comply with maritime safety regulations, which means most towers are designed to be tall enough for the blade to clear the water, but should be no taller than that for optimal operation and safety.
How much wind do they need?
Strong winds are important for the good performance of wind turbines. The National Grid says: “Wind turbines can operate in anything from very light to very strong wind speeds. They generate around 80 per cent of the time, but not always at full capacity. In really high winds they shut down to prevent damage.”
An average wind speed of five metres per second (5m/s) or more is necessary for a wind farm to work effectively. An increase in average wind speed from 6 m/s to 7 m/s results in 60 per cent more power generated by the same turbine and it increases the energy production for the year by 36 per cent.
What do wind farms mean for ecology?
Wind farms are better for the environment than coal or natural gas, because wind energy has much lower carbon emissions. Coal-fired energy has 90 times the carbon footprint of wind energy. And natural gas has more than 40 times the footprint.
Wind farm companies consult with conservation groups, such as the RSPB, Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts and The Environment Agency. Sometimes it’s necessary to route onshore cables to minimise the impact on habitats.
There is some risk to birds, however. Science Focus suggests that between 10,000 and 100,000 birds die every year in the UK after being hit by a wind turbine blade. Proponents of wind energy argue that 55 million birds are killed by people’s
