renewable energy

Scarweather Sands: The wind farm could boost the local economy

Last edited 22 July 2003 at 8:00am
Offshore wind farm, oeresund

Offshore wind farm, oeresund

Article tagged as: climate change, offshore wind, renewable energy, scarweather sands, wind power

Scarweather Sands: Why we need wind power

Last edited 22 July 2003 at 8:00am
Offshore wind park near Nysted, Denmark

Wind turbines at sea

Article tagged as: climate change, incineration, offshore wind, renewable energy, scarweather sands, wind power

Scarweather Sands: turbines won't harm the surf

Posted by bex — 22 July 2003 at 8:00am - Comments
wind turbines at sea

wind turbines at sea

This wind farm won't harm the surf. The waves at Porthcawl are powerful - they have travelled across the Atlantic. They also have a long average wavelength which means that they are physically big. To absorb or diffract any noticeable amount of their energy would take an enormous obstruction. The wind farm is simply not big enough to have a significant effect on the power of the waves. Even with the biggest of the foundations (concrete gravity foundations which use blocks around 3m high) the waves simply won't 'notice' that there is an obstruction. The turbines are so widely spaced (each one at least a third of a mile apart) that from the waves point of view over 98 % of the wind farm is just open sea!

Porthcawl is a significant surfing location and an important part of the UK surf scene and industry. The wind farm at Scarweather Sands will in no way undermine this. In fact it is part of an important shift to clean energy in the UK that will help tackle climate change (that threatens all our beaches) and marine pollution - so it is good for water users and the environment.

Article tagged as: climate change, hachette, offshore wind, renewable energy, scarweather sands, wind power

Government announces green light for wind power

Posted by bex — 17 July 2003 at 8:00am - Comments
wind turbines at sea

wind turbines at sea

The government has given the go-ahead this week for an ambitious programme of offshore wind farms to be developed around the UK coastline. Under plans announced by the Secretary for State and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, 1 in 6 households will be powered by energy harnessed from wind power by 2010. That's equivalent to every home in the south-east of England.

Article tagged as: climate change, offshore wind, patricia hewitt, renewable energy, wind power

Say 'Yes to Wind Power' in your area

Posted by bex — 7 July 2003 at 8:00am - Comments
Greenpeace has joined forces with Friends of the Earth and WWF to develop an interactive, pro-wind website. www.yes2wind.com has been developed to help you actively support the development of clean, renewable energy in your area.

The government is committed to producing 10%of the UK's electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Despite this step forward, many UK wind farm proposals are failing to get planning permission because of a small yet vocal minority. 75% of people in the UK support the development of wind power, but those speaking out against wind are being heard the most. You can help turn this around by logging onto www.yes2wind.com

Article tagged as: climate change, renewable energy, wind power, yes2wind

UK hand forced over radioactive discharges

Last edited 26 June 2003 at 8:00am
26 June, 2003

An international meeting of Environment Ministers ended today with the UK being forced to accept, in writing, the concerns of European countries over radioactive discharges into the North Seas (1) from the Sellafield nuclear installation in Cumbria.

London had previously successfully resisted attempts to record criticism of the UK's failure to meet its commitments to reduce radioactive discharges at the OSPAR conference (2,3). Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden were particularly critical of the UK's role.

Article tagged as: press releases, renewable energy, reprocessing, sellafield, waste

Save the planet, phase out coal

Last edited 16 June 2003 at 8:00am
Greenpeace presentation at CoalTrans Asia 2003

Greenpeace presentation at CoalTrans Asia 2003

At the recent annual CoalTrans Asia 2003 gathering, Greenpeace called on the world's largest coal companies to act against the threat of global warming.


Coal accounts for over 40% of the world's annual carbon emissions. In the 20 years between 1973 and 1993, coal use around the globe rose by 36%.

The highest increase in coal consumption was in Asia - in the same period it rose by a massive 162%. In contrast, coal use in Europe registered only a 6% growth.

Scientists have identified Southeast Asia as one of the regions most vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. Yet the coal industry plans to further expand into the region. Coal imports in Southeast Asia are expected to rise by 14% per year.

Article tagged as: climate change, co2, coal, hachette, renewable energy

Ecotricity and Greenpeace challenge British Energy bail out approval through the European Court

Last edited 10 April 2003 at 8:00am
10 April, 2003

On April 10th, Ecotricity and Greenpeace will file a legal challenge to the European Commission's decision to approve UK state aid (1) to stricken nuclear energy company British Energy.

They will make a joint application to the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg to "annul" the Commission's decision that the rescue aid to British Energy is compatible with European Community law.

Article tagged as: british energy, press releases, renewable energy

Greenpeace welcomes the end of the road for nuclear power

Last edited 24 February 2003 at 9:00am
24 February, 2003

Greenpeace today welcomed announcements in the government's Energy White Paper outlining a 60% carbon cut by 2050 and effectively announcing an end to the UK nuclear power industry, and applauded the efforts of Patricia Hewitt and Margaret Beckett in promoting sustainable energy. However the group warned that the dropping of firm targets for renewable energy from the Paper could put investment into renewable energy projects at risk.

Article tagged as: energy review, nuclear power, press releases, renewable energy

Greenpeace response to Electricity Bill Amendment

Last edited 9 January 2003 at 9:00am
9 January, 2003

Responding to today's first reading of the Electricity (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - which will enable government to increase their stake in British Energy and to make unlimited funds available to the company - Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Jim Footner said, 

Article tagged as: british energy, electricity, nuclear power, press releases, renewable energy