"Additionally, the lobbying activities undertaken by WindEurope help create a suitable legal framework within which members can successfully develop their businesses."
Apr 3, 2018 at 10:12 AM | Mark Hodgson

That is a disturbing admission. Where do all the subsidies go?

Mark everyone knows (but few acknowledge) the facts - decarbonizing energy provision requires renewables (and nuclear but we refuse to acknowledge this) and the only half viable renewable is wind. It is also known that wind cannot under any circumstances provide sufficient energy even if the wind blew 100% of the time. Also unfortunately, sites on land where wind is most efficient are also those where the loss in visual appeal is greatest.
These basic facts cannot be challenged so the wind industry needs all the help it can get to install its turbines and still appear virtuous.

Arguments that Big Wind requires subsidies in order to compete, surly should be over now? It made some sense in the earliest days, but today?

Apr 3, 2018 at 9:42 AM | tomo

Naz Shah has clearly had a troubled childhood, upbringing and life, at the "hands" of Moslem men. So she blames Jews?

There are more logical ways for her to channel her anger and bitterness.

tomo, I'm biased too. I candidly admit I dislike wind turbines intensely, and I've watched the antics of wind turbine companies setting local communities at each other's throats, while some local residents chase the bribes and others want to preserve their landscape. IMO wind turbine companies don't care two hoots about the environment or local communities, and it's all about the money for them.

This section from their website (which I've already quoted, but which is worth homing in on), is rather telling, I think:

"Additionally, the lobbying activities undertaken by WindEurope help create a suitable legal framework within which members can successfully develop their businesses.

WindEurope produces a large variety of information tools and manages campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of wind and enhancing social acceptance...".

Lobbying, information tools and campaigns are all necessary, because without them there wouldn't be the subsidies ("suitable legal framework") or "social acceptance" of something so damaging to the visual environment.

I find it deeply disappointing and annoying that the BBC is so happy to play the part of "useful idiots" to Big Wind.

More uncritical advertising of wind turbines by the BBC:

Reaping the wind with the biggest turbines ever made
By Chris Baraniuk
Technology of Business reporter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43576226

Lots of spin (pardon the pun), no critical thought or difficult questions, while the article comes close to ending with this:

"Wind supplied more than 11% of Europe's electricity in the first half of 2017, Wind Europe says.

And Mr Meggelaars expects that percentage to grow, as more windfarms are installed.

"In 2019, we expect to see another record of offshore wind being installed, around 4GW - again, most of that is in the UK and Germany.""

Wind Europe is casually referred to in the piece as "...industry association Wind Europe...". Which does admit some self-interest, but is hardly the whole story. This is how Wind Europe candidly describes itself on its website:

"WindEurope is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind power in Europe and worldwide. We have over 450 members, active in over 40 countries. In addition to wind turbine manufacturers with a leading share of the world wind power market, our membership encompasses component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies, and consultants.

WindEurope actively coordinates international policy, communications, research and analysis. We also provide various services to support members’ requirements and needs in order to further their development, offering the best networking and learning opportunities in the sector.

WindEurope analyses, formulates and establishes policy positions for the wind industry on key strategic sectoral issues, cooperating with industry and research institutions on a number of market development and technology research projects. Additionally, the lobbying activities undertaken by WindEurope help create a suitable legal framework within which members can successfully develop their businesses.

WindEurope produces a large variety of information tools and manages campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of wind and enhancing social acceptance, dispelling myths about wind energy and providing easy access to credible information.

WindEurope regularly organises numerous events, ranging from conferences, exhibitions, and launches to seminars and workshops. These encourage the exchange of international experience on policy, finance and technical developments, and provide the ideal forum in which to showcase the latest technology."

I think that in the interests of balance the BBC should have made some of that clear, and/or offered up an alternative voice and some critique of the hype. Fat chance!

Labour needed someone to match and exceed the ranting George Galloway

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naz_Shah