ThWART Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why are you against wind turbines, don�t you believe we need renewable energy?
A. We are all very concerned about producing renewable energy and ThWART is in favour of renewable energy schemes that are appropriate. However in all situations we have to weigh up the environmental and economic benefits against the environmental impact of large scale turbines. Large turbines along the lines of those proposed at Cheverton will be seen from nearly everywhere on the Island. The visual impact from major Island view points will be massive. The Island�s attractiveness has been based upon its natural beauty, tourism and the attractive environment for people to live traditionally being the main driving force in the local economy. We believe tourism and personal enjoyment by residents all over the Island will be badly damaged by inappropriate Wind turbine developments. It has to be recognised that any electricity that is produced is intermittent and is fed into the National Grid and therefore does not supply local needs, and therefore does not benefit the local community.
We do not believe that expensive, inefficient, unreliable wind farms are the answer to achieve the Island�s targets. If we want the Island to have energy security for the future, we need renewable energy solutions where the renewable fuel-energy source is either storable or predictable and where the resultant energy-output is both economically viable and a real substitute for fossil fuels. Wind energy is neither storable nor predictable and the output energy of wind farms is neither economically viable without some form of subsidy, nor a viable substitute for fossil fuels. Wind farms produce high cost electricity with high profits for the wind farm operators and high costs for consumers. They need a constant backup of immediately available power for when the wind varies. This means the fossil fuels must still be burnt. We want energy solutions that directly provide reliable energy to local communities.
Q. Aren�t people who object against wind farms just NIMBYs?
A. Thwart is not a Nimby organisation. We believe that the Island is all of our backyards. It is difficult to imagine anywhere on the Isle of Wight where large scale Industrial wind farm installations could be appropriate without the impact being greater than any economic or environmental benefit.
Q. Isn�t the only way to meet the Isle of Wight�s renewable energy targets through the use of large scale wind farms?
A. One thing is for sure, the Island cannot meet its renewable energy targets with wind farms. Even if the developers� figures were right about the amount of electricity they might produce, electricity is only 16% of the energy consumed on the Isle of Wight. How on earth can a 25% target be met. There must be other approaches to the Isle of Wight Energy mix. In fact, many other options are available on the Isle of Wight including biomas, solar, tidal and geothermal.
About Wind Turbines
Q. Aren�t wind turbines the only proven technology for producing renewable energy?
A. It is true that the wind farm industry has had a lot of money thrown at it and the wind farm industry will tell you that there is no alternative. BUT - biomass, solar and tidal power are all realities today, something that the Wind Farm industry doesn�t like to admit. Solar power for domestic power have been available for years, biomass plants are being built throughout the world and tidal power generation has been used for over 40 years in France. The fact is that, even here on the Isle of Wight, there are many projects using other technologies that are underway.
Q. Isn�t the visual impact the only thing wrong and isn�t that a small price to pay for free energy?
A. The visual impact is a major factor anywhere, but probably more so in an area where its largest employer and largest economic sector depends on the unspoilt nature of the landscape. Just the impact on the Isle of Wight Tourist industry is too high a price to pay. But there are many other problems with Wind Farms such as:- the flicker and shadows caused by turbine blades turning through sunlight; the noise they produce, particularly inaudible, low frequency sound of which the health risk to humans and wildlife is little understood; the hazard to wildlife such as migrating birds and bats; and the likely interference to TV reception and other radio communication. Noise can be a major factor and can be distressing to walkers and horse riders on bridleways, as well as residents.
And if you think the energy is free, maybe the fuel source is, the wind, but the energy generated is very expensive. - and that�s without considering the cost of the backup power which will be running all the time as well.
About Renewable Energy Sources
Q. Surely there would be a food shortage if we concentrated on biomass?
A. It is not reasonable to expect all energy that we need to come from biomass and we do not advocate that approach. Biomass is part of the mix of renewable that we will need.
Tidal power is an energy source that will be with us long after the moon has stopped orbiting the planet (there will still be a tide from the sun) and solar power will be there for long after that. Neither is there a shortage of geothermal energy. Tidal, solar and geothermal will all be part of the mix. All these sources are storable and or predictable and we will need enough power from these sources and others to provide all that we need even when the wind stops. So wind farms will not be required.
Q. There is no other proven technology, surely we need wind now?
A. Even if this statement was true (which it isn�t), wind power is not the answer. Instead of investing time and effort into expensive, inefficient, unreliable and unpredictable wind power that does little or no good for CO2 reduction, we should be focusing on the ones that work. And they do work:- 40 years of tidal power generation in France, biomass plant roll out in many parts of the world, solar panels for all sorts of applications and ground source heat pumps - all commercially available today.