Wind Energy in Ireland and the UK: The Facts
- The UK aims to source 10% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020
- At 5 gigawatts, there is now enough installed commercial wind power capacity in the UK to supply 4% of the nation’s energy needs
- Ireland & Britain’s wind farms reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by over 5 million tonnes per year…
- There are now 3,000 commercial wind turbines installed across Ireland and the UK
- Ireland and the UK currently emits over 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year
- …as well as displacing around 6 million tonnes of coal
“Can Wind Turbines Power My Business?”
- Once connected, wind turbines power any home, business, farm or community
- Just one modern wind turbine will save over 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually
- A typical wind turbine will produce enough wind energy to power approximately 1,000 homes
- During its lifetime, each wind turbine will generate at least 24 times the wind energy used in its manufacture and installation
- Most wind turbines have a lifetime of 20-25 years
- Most wind turbines start generating electricity at wind speeds of around 4 metres per second (8 miles per hour)…
- …and produce electricity 70-85% of the time
Will Wind Turbines Create Noise Pollution Around My Business?
- The average wind turbine is very quiet, with indicative noise levels set at around 35-45 db from 350m, about the same as a road 5 km away. Noise from wind in trees is louder than wind turbines at 300m.
- …in fact, there is only one recorded case of a noise complaint about wind turbines being upheld
- Apart from a vocal minority who oppose wind turbines, wind farms have largely been welcomed into communities across Ireland and the UK. In fact, those that live close to wind farms are often their strongest supporters – 82% of local wind farm residents in Scotland, one of the UK’s windiest regions, advocate more wind developments in the country.
Visit Wind Energy Direct’s wind energy page for more details.
Wind Energy Direct is a Wind Energy company with Irish offices based in Limerick Ireland. Wind Energy Direct specialises in installing wind turbines on business and industrial sites throughout the Ireland in areas such as Cork, Kerry, Cavan & Mayo.
