Benefits
The Seamer Windfarm is expected to generate around 7,884,000 kwh per annum per turbine ( based on a typical large 3 MW wind turbine with a capacity factor of 30% ). This is enough to meet the average electrical demand for over 1,650 homes*.
This will make a contribution to national and regional targets for the provision of renewable electricity generation.
It will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generating industry by harnessing wind as an alternative to the burning of fossil fuels, in line with the UK Government's national energy goals.
It is difficult to predict exactly what volume of CO2 emissions the proposed wind farm will prevent as the amount of CO2 generated by conventional sources varies from year to year; based on a 3MW wind turbine with a 30% capacity** it will be at least 2,871 tonnes annually per turbine and the theoretic annual maximum would be 6,673 tonnes of CO2*** per turbine. In practice, the figures will probably be somewhere between the two.
However it should be noted that the CO2 emission reduction figure may change as further site specific information is gathered.
It will contribute to the UK Government's goal of diversifying the supply of energy and reducing energy imports in order to gain a greater supply security.
By reducing world carbon dioxide emissions it will directly contribute to reducing the extent and rate of global climate change.
It will strengthen the renewable energy industry and the associated employment opportunities in the UK which has been estimated to provide up to 35,000 jobs by 2020 (DTI, 2004).
There will also be direct and indirect economic benefits for the local community during the construction phase of the project.
* assumes 1. 30% capacity, which takes into account the intermittent nature of the wind, the availability of wind turbines and array losses. 2. The average UK household electricity is 4.700 kWh (BWEA recommended guideline).
** the capacity factor, as recommended by the BWEA, takes into account the intermittent nature of the wind, the availability of the wind turbines and array losses.
*** the figure for CO2 savings depends on which source of electricity generation the wind power generating capacity is displacing at any given time during the year. This range reflects the difference between the CO2 displacement factors of gas-fired and coal-fired generation. It should be noted that future changes in the power generating mix and fuel costs in the UK means this figure may change over time.
