Wind farms to add more challenges to navigating

by Thomas Tamblyn and Sail-World.com on 7 Jan 2017

Wind turbines sit in the North Sea at the London Array offshore wind farm, a partnership between Dong Energy A/S, E.ON AG and Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, in the Thames Estuary, U.K., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The London Array, east of London, has 175 Siemens turbines and a capacity of 630MW Getty Images

The drive for renewable energy ashore means that in the North Sea particularly, navigation means dodging farms. Wind farms precisely, and with more on the cards, it is going to be an increasing challenge for cruisiers in the future, so get used to it... It is for a good cause, namely the planet, and that is wonderful, but you will want to leave them well alone if you are at sea.

While gas still provides over 40 per cent of the UK’s electricity, the focus on renewable energy is starting to pay off. Wind, solar and bioenergy now account for 25 per cent of the UK’s needs and it’s expected for that figure to grow as new wind farms go online in the next few years.

Considering the turbulent year we’ve had it’s sometimes hard getting the good news to shout above the bad, but in this instance we think it’s definitely worth shouting about. Official energy figures have revealed that in the last quarter of 2016 half of all the UK’s electricity came from a low carbon source. The National Statistics figures, revealed on Thursday, show that the UK’s reliance on low carbon electricity has grown considerably 2013.

National Statistics © SW

While there have been fluctuations, particularly in the latter half of 2015 we have seen a steady growth in the amount of electricity being produced. Wind and solar in particular have almost doubled their share. This should only increase as major projects like Hornsea Project Two go online.

Over twice the size of Birmingham, this vast wind farm in the North Sea would become the largest of its kind in the world. If completed, would deliver electricity to around 1.8m homes in the United Kingdom. The project will be funded by Danish company Dong Energy who have already invested £6bn into the UK economy with Hornsea Project One.

Wind turbines sit in the North Sea at the London Array offshore wind farm, a partnership between Dong Energy A/S, E.ON AG and Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, in the Thames Estuary, U.K., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The London Array, east of London, has 175 Siemens turbines and a capacity of 630MW. © Getty Images

Earlier this year Scotland revealed just how effective wind power had become for delivering their electricity needs. In early August, 2016, high winds in the area meant that Scotland was able to provide 106 per cent of its renewable energy needs.

The wind farms pumped in a staggering 39,645 megawatt hours into the National Grid within 24 hours. It takes just 37,202 MWh to power all the homes and businesses in Scotland.

If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sailworldcruising.com/150936