reeves hill windfarm

Energy Security

It is an undeniable fact that the nation is facing an energy crisis - an anticipated shortfall of supply caused by bad forward planning and energy demand growth, combined with an issue of security of supply. Generally, people are not aware of this issue or how much extra demand there may be in the future for electrical power.

Under one scenario in which demand grows at only 1.25% per annum*, total annual generation needs to grow from approximately 345TWh in 2003 to approximately 600TWh/year by 2050 - an increase of 74%.

By 2023, one quarter of UK generating capacity will be lost with the closure of old coal and nuclear power stations.

Britain became a net importer of gas in 2006,(much of the UK's power generation is driven by gas) and will be a net importer of oil by 2010 (White Paper: Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy).

The UK is dependant on gas for 40% of electricity generation (Source: Energy Review, July 2006).

At a time when most of the energy we use comes from other countries, we need to generate more of our own for a truly secure supply.

* Electricity Network Scenarios for Great Britain in 2050 I. Elders, G. Ault, S. Galloway, J. McDonald, J. Köhler, M. Leach, E. Lampaditou.