Reports ruffle feathers

The Analysis of Wind Generation report, produced by Stuart Young Consulting and supported by the John Muir Trust, has already started to ruffle feathers within the UK wind energy market.

Questioning the contribution that the wind power market makes to the UK energy supply, it suggests that average power output rates are well below those claimed by both industry and government. And perhaps even more damning, is its backing by such a high profile conservation trust.

Naturally, our various UK industry bodies have been quick to return fire, claiming that the findings are both unreliable and incomplete. And they may well be right.

But in so far as the report’s author is concerned, the battle has already been won. In the space of just 24 hours, Stuart Young has grabbed the media’s attention and amplified his message ten fold.

We’ve talked before in Wind Watch about the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by anti wind farm campaigners to extend their influence and reach. To a certain extent our industry bodies can undertake some of this work on our behalf but we cannot rely on them alone. In the battle of winning over the hearts and minds of Middle England, as an industry we need to recognize the benefits (and power) of effective communication. And readdress the balance.