Wind more economical than nuclear: offshore wind turbines in U.K. significantly less expensive per megawatt than planned nuclear

The strong winds offshore in Britain have made deep-water wind turbine power the most cost-effective electricity solution in Britain — more economical than nuclear. Denmark’s DONG Energy recently won at auction to build the world’s biggest offshore wind farm on the coast of northern England, around Yorkshire. In a formal announcement, future planned wind power was significantly less expensive than a future-planned nuclear plant.

RenewableUK announced: “Today’s results mean that both onshore and offshore wind are cheaper than gas and nuclear.”

 

Land-based versus shallow water, transitional water and deep water wind power. By Jplourde umaineOwn work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

 

With various logged bids for this and other wind operations, the prices dropped to 82.36 Euros (74.75 pounds or $98.52) per megawatt, dropping even further to 57.50 pounds for projects after 2022. This is significant because it’s below the cost of nuclear at a new planned Hinkley Point C nuclear plant at 92.50 pounds. The plant was awarded to a consortium led by EDF last year. Even more costly are planned wave and tidal power.

The Nuclear Industry Association did warn that regardless of the cost advantage, “one technology alone can’t solve the UK’s power challenge.”

 

Wind Turbine electrical subs-station Alpha Ventus by Adwen in the  North Sea. By SteKrueBe – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Drawbacks to wind

Although the North Sea and offshore tends to almost always have wind, the main risk associated with wind and solar in general is unpredictability. When the output is down, gas, coal and nuclear fill in the shortfall. However, offshore tends to have fairly steady output day and night.

 

NASA view of planned wind farms near the Thames estuary. By Operational Land Imager, with annotations by Delusion23 – Annotated version of File:Thames Estuary and Wind Farms from Space NASA.jpg showing offshore wind farms, Public Domain, Link

 

 

 

 

Did you miss this?

Other Popular Stories

  • Bombardier CSeries finally flies the skies of Paris
  • Too much wind-power may warm the environment more than oil or coal — at least in the short term. Harvard research suggests cautious planning needed
  • Highly Accurate Counting Technique from National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Forest vertical cities in China: first forest city under construction covered in 1 million plants; produce 900 tons oxygen daily
  • Infrastructure Ontario seeks proposals for Highway 427 expansion
  • First drone crash with a commercial aircraft in Canada triggers safety review and possible new rules
  • Nissan sales surpass 100,000 for first time in Canada
  • Jobs cut at Bombardier as business jet sales soften
  • Magna unveils newest concept car, posts strong Q4 profits
  • Wind farm opponents' complaint lacked proof: judge
  • Closing GM Oshawa would cost economy billions: UNIFOR
  • Kite-style Technology Produces Tidal Power: Green Energy
  • World's oil suppliers in for a shock: IEA
  • Regina refinery will reuse all water with GE wastewater technology
  • Bombardier Recreational Products to launch Electric Motorcycle Line
  • Ontario to improve business "climate" for automotive industry; special focus on autonomous vehicle development
  • BMW to invest 6 per cent of revenue in R&D; plans to streamline manufacturing to pay for research
  • Canada one of only three countries where clean energy investment grew
  • Volkswagen hit with $14.7 billion in fines, compensation over emissions scandal
  • Laser weapons may be the future of aerial defence; Lockheed Martin showcases new laser weapon
Scroll to Top