The report has raised doubts on the accuracy of officialestimates on wind power in the UK, observing that wind speeds could be almostone-third lower than projected earlier, and therefore, not really generating asmuch electricity as was expected. A home wind turbine in the UK could takealmost 15 years in some cases to be able to generate ‘green energy’ to justifyits manufacture.

On the other hand, some experts state that the total numberof turbines in the UK installed off- and on-shore was actually enough to meetthe electricity demands of Britain’s homes.

The debate on wind power in the UK, however, continues, andits proponents strongly advocate this carbon emission-free energy from a freenatural resource. Those opposed to wind turbines doubt the ability of wind farmschemes to truly deliver results, and also question the site and look of thewind turbines in the country.

However, the importance of wind power in the UK cannot beignored, as forms an integral part of the plans for 2008-2010 of the energysector in the country. 10% of electricity generation in the UK is expected tobe met by wind power, in tandem with pan-Europe’s target of 20% electricitygeneration from renewable sources by 2020. But with wind power in the UK notblowing up to expectations, energy officials are being forced to revise theirtargets.

Wind energy in the UK has nevertheless created quite a stiramongst homeowners, as it allows them to save on their energy bills by sellingextra electricity generated by their wind turbines to the national grid. Thefeed-in tariffs have encouraged people to adopt green energy in the country,and wind turbines have acquired considerable popularity.

A Research Analyst at RNCOSsaid, “Low wind speeds are undermining the government’s plans to harness windenergy in the UK, and more importantly, is jeopardizing the effort of thecountry to fight global warming.”