Energy blow as wind power fuels pollution

BRITAIN'S drive for wind power risks boosting emissions of greenhouse gases, campaigners claimed yesterday.

The UK is becoming "increasingly dependent" on cheap coal to generate electricity and fill the gaps when there isn't enough wind, says the Renewable Energy Foundation.

Coal-fired electricity increased by 30 per cent in the first three-quarters of 2012 compared with the same period last year. Burning coal emits more carbon dioxide than gas, which is becoming more expensive. The foundation says the power industry has to provide a baseload of electricity from conventional power stations to cope with the vagaries of wind.

Dr Lee Moroney, from the foundation, said: "Burning more coal is likely to lead to an increase in emissions despite more wind farms." Professor Ian Fells, of Newcastle University, said: "If you have to back up wind power with fossil fuels and if wind happens not to be blowing strongly enough you are bound to increase emissions."

Campaigners are pushing for a Ukip-backed petition on the Downing Street website to gather 100,000 signatures to force a Commons debate. The petition, which so far has 12,400 signatures, urges MPs to oppose wind farms, branding them "uneconomical and inefficient".

But RenewableUK said that as more electricity comes from wind the need to rely on fossil fuels will diminish.

The petition is at epetitions. direct.gov.uk/petitions/22958

From The National Edition