UK DTI wind programme area - review and current priorities

The Wind Energy programme commenced in 1979 initially to determine the technical and economic feasibility of the technology. Since that time the programme has progressed from research, development and assessment to commercial deployment. It now provides a technology push to complement the market pull created by the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO). Over 280 MW of capacity has now been commissioned. The wind energy programme, is based upon a five year strategy in common with other DTI renewable energy technologies, which were outlined in Energy Paper 62. The programme has four key aims: 1. To encourage the uptake of wind energy. 2. To encourage internationally competitive industries to develop and utilise capabilities for the domestic and export markets. 3. To quantify environmental improvements and disbenefits associated with wind energy. 4. To manage the programme effectively. During the mid 1980s and early 1990s the programme concentrated on technology development and demonstration, which has helped to establish UK expertise in wind energy. Non-technical barriers such as planning have been addressed but are now largely for the industry to resolve. The development of wind turbine technology and related components is aimed at meeting the challenge of both the domestic and world markets. The ability of the DTI programme to meet these challenges is partly dependent on the technical ability and commercially acumen of British companies and partly on the level of support offered by Government. The programme budget has fallen from Pound8.7M/year in 1992/93 to current level of Pound1.4M/year and is yet to fall further. It should be stressed that the decline in budgets followed a review of the Renewables Programme in 1995 which affected all technologies. The wind programme budget was reduced substantially at that time which resulted in a revision of priorities. Continued support for market enablement measures was reduced partly because the industry, supported by the NFFO, had acquired development skills and was therefore in a better position to tackle non-technical barriers. The new Government has announced that the programme will continue pending the review of renewable energy policy. Collaborative product development with industry to develop turbines and key components now forms the core of the programme and the bulk of its expenditure. The key objective of concentrating on development, demonstration and monitoring of new turbines or components, is to reduce the cost of wind energy and expand the UK share of the turbine and component markets. This approach has led to the successful development of wood laminate blades and direct drive generators which are beginning to show positive long term commercial prospects. The programme has also started other initiatives to attract the UK components industry to a growing market. In addition, the programme is co-ordinating initiatives to promote exports including market analysis and trade missions. (Author)