Well, that's not exactly what he said, but it's not far off:
...the last two winters have featured exceptionally low temperatures and were remarkably still when they should have been the windiest seasons of all, as high pressure diverted the jet stream from its normal position.
Meteorologists have found that the position of the jet stream has been influenced by the lower levels of activity on the Sun. This decline in sun-spot activity is expected to continue for the next 40 years, with potentially serious consequences for the viability of wind farms.
Professor Mike Lockwood, from Reading University, said: “Changes in the jet stream will change the pattern of winds that we get in the UK. That, of course, is a problem for wind power.
“You have to site your wind farms in the right place and if you site your wind farm in the wrong place then that will be a problem.”
So, when you see a windmill standing still, despite all the billions of subsidy thrown at them, you can console yourself with the fact that things will have picked up a little in time for your children to see the benefit.
If only Prof Lockwood had discovered this before we spent all that money eh?
Bishop Hill
Mike Lockwood via email says his research on solar/windspeed links is not new and the reduced average windspeed stuff mentioned in the article is nothing to do with his work. I think what he means here is that his research shows the jetstream will move (a problem for windfarms in itself) but says nothing about average windspeeds.