Questions need to be answered about our reliance on wind energy

Why should we accept higher costs because of renewable energy? 

Questions need to be answered about our reliance on wind energy

Wind generated electricity can only be admitted to the grid system as a minority energy source, to preserve stability. The amount ranges between 22% and 52%, depending on winds speed and consistency. For at least half of the time there is no electricity from wind. And when the wind is blowing strongly, surplus wind energy must be constrained down, by turning off some turbines. As the level of wind in the system increases, the amount constrained increases. Both real and constrained wind energy is paid for from consumer bills.

Wind energy must also  be backed up by  fossil fuel plant. When the wind blows, this plant is disconnected but some is kept running idle. This fossil fuel plant must also be paid constrained payments for lost sales. Moreover, both wind and fossil plant is paid capacity payments (to produce nothing) which amounts to about €27 million  per year for wind alone.

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