RenewableUK produces a range of publications, reports and consultation responses on the core issues related to the wind energy and marine renewables industries. Most of RenewableUK's publications and consultation responses are available to download online from these pages. In addition, RenewableUK has also collated a number of links to external publications which report on the developments in the UK, European and global wind energy and marine renewables markets.
Selected RenewableUK reports and studies
Wind Turbine Syndrome
RenewableUK's own initial asssessment of the alleged Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS) concluded there was no scientific basis or available evidence to support its existence. However, as a reponsible trade body with a firm commitment to Health & Safety issues we must be confident we have presented a fair, accurate assessment. This briefing has been prepared in response to the profile and media attention given to the alleged condition and includes the conclusions on three independent experts on the available evidence on WTS.
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RenewableUK Wave and Tidal Report 2010
This report has been produced by Entec to provide RenewableUK with an independent review of the current status of the marine renewable energy industry in the UK. The report estimates the cost of energy for wave and tidal stream devices and examines the issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure commercial deployment of these devices.
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Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS)
An independent review of the state of knowledge about the alleged health condition: Health and Safety Briefing
This briefing is in response media attention given to the alleged condition " Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS)" that developed towards the end of 2009, surrounding Dr Pierpont's book entitled "Wind Turbine Syndrome." RenewableUK instructed three independent experts to review the evidence available on WTS. They found that that there is no evidence to suggest that the sounds from wind turbines could plausibly have direct adverse health consequences, that the scientific and epidemiological methodology and conclusions drawn are fundamentally flawed; the scientific and audiological assumptions presented by Dr Pierpont relating infrasound to WTS are wrong; and noise from wind turbines cannot contribute to the symptoms reported by Dr Pierpont's respondents.
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UK Offshore Wind: Building an Industry
Analysis and scenarios for industrial development
This report, conducted by Douglas Westwood, outlines scenarios for UK offshore wind development from 2015 to 2030. According to the report the “Healthy Industry scenario” could create at least 45,000 jobs. Crucially decisions on new factories will need to be made in the next 12-24 months if this is to be realized. In contrast the report suggests that the “Low Added Value Scenario,” which is in line with outputs from the Government's Renewable Energy Strategy, would represent a missed opportunity for the UK in terms of jobs and industrialization.
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The Economic Value of Wind to Wales
A Survey
The results of this survey, commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru, show that the wind industry currently contributes more than £158 million to the Welsh economy every year – considerably more than fishing and forestry, with almost half the businesses who responded to the survey expecting turnover to grow by up to 20% by 2012. The benefits in rural areas are set to be particularly impressive, and there is evidence that the sector offers significant employment opportunities, both highly skilled and highly waged. The average wage in the sector is now £44,000 per annum. View survey ...
Generate your own Power: Your Guide to Installing a Small Wind System
Cut your carbon footprint, reduce your bills, and make money selling the electricity you make back to the grid by installing a small wind system. This guide explains how to find the right site for your turbine, how to connect your turbine to the grid, and how to access the government's new Clean Energy Cashback scheme and get paid for the electricity you produce. View report ...
Small Wind Systems Market Report 2010
RenewableUK estimates that if barriers to market growth are addressed, by 2020 the UK small wind system sector could generate 1,700GWh (1.7TWh) annually, creating 5,800 jobs, with a market revenue size of over £750 million. This report predicts a rapid growth in the small wind systems manufacturing and installation sectors, following the successful implementation of the Feed-in Tariff this year. View report ...
The Zero Carbon Switch: Joint Manifesto for Renewables
Nine of the UK's leading renewable energy trade associations have signed up to a joint Manifesto, outlining proposals for the timely delivery of 2020 targets and urging the Government to act now on the looming energy and climate crisis. The 12 proposals would ensure that Britain delivers 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020, fulfilling its EU obligations and building a thriving 'green collar' industry sector in the process. View report ...
Rebirth of UK Manufacturing: An Opportunity for a World-class Industry
This report highlights the manufacturing opportunities in the renewables sector, with eight case studies of companies already investing in onshore and offshore wind energy manufacturing in the UK. View report ...
Budget Submission to HM Treasury, March 2010
This report contains RenewableUK's comprehensive set of proposals for the 2010 Budget, to maximise the benefit of renewable energy to the UK economy. Recommendations include: a strong case for a new state-backed finance institution to ensure sufficient capital flows to the renewable energy sector; further funds to solve aviation objections to wind power developments, and action to drive investment in the offshore wind industry supply chain. View report ...
What does the round 3 announcement mean? Briefing note on offshore wind.
8 January 2010 marked the announcement of the winners of the third tender round for offshore wind sites in the UK. These vast new offshore wind farm zones with a total capacity of 32GW could generate enough electricity to power every home in the UK and provide up to 45,000 UK jobs. View the report ... (5.12MB)
RenewableUK Manifesto 2010: Policy actions for wind, wave and tidal
By 2020 we can generate a third of the UK's power supply from renewable energy. Our manifesto sets out an ambitious agenda, outlining the steps the next government must take to lead the UK into a clean, green energy revolution. View the report...
State of the Industry Report 2009
Progress in the deployment of wind energy in 2009 has continued along the same path of growth achieved in the five years that preceded it. This report examines the progress made on and offshore in the UK this year, and looks forward to possible scenarios for 2010. Click here to view the report
Marine Report
This report has been produced by Entec to provide RenewableUK with an independent review of the current status of the marine renewable energy industry in the UK. The report estimates the cost of energy for wave and tidal stream devices and examines the issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure commercial deployment of these devices. Click here to view the report
Wind Energy in Wales
Wind Energy in Wales - State of the Industry
Ynni gwynt yng Nghymru - Cyflwr y Diwydiant
This report assesses current progress of the development of wind energy in Wales over the life span of the Welsh Assembly Government's 2005 planning
guidance. The report looks at milestones recently reached, investigates planning performance and identifies the barriers preventing delivery.
Facts on Wind: Top 7 wind farm myths dispelled
We dispel the seven most popular myths and misconceptions about wind power in our four page briefing sheet. Click here to view the report
England's Regional Renewable Energy Targets: Progress Report
BWEA has compiled a detailed review of the state of progress towards 2010 renewable energy targets adopted by the English regions and the aggregate 'English' target.
UK Offshore Wind: Staying on track
The work reported here has been undertaken under contract to arrive at a picture for the delivery of offshore wind energy capacity in the UK until 2015. This work is an update of some aspects of two prior BWEA studies – Offshore Wind: At a Crossroads and Moving Up a Gear.
UK Offshore Wind: Charting the Right Course
The offshore wind industry is an important source of future energy supply for the UK, although it is a sector which has yet to fully mature. Project roll-out in the UK has gathered pace with offshore wind build in 2009 expected to be similar to onshore wind build for the first time. Currently, the UK is also the largest global market for offshore wind.
Wind Energy in the UK: A BWEA state of the Industry Report October 2008
This 20 page document offers a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of the wind energy industry in the UK. The report opens with a summary of the progress made in the sector since the planning application for the first wind farm in Britain in 1989. It looks at the technological developments and the effect of the Renewable Obligation support mechanism, moving to major milestones and a review of the planning performance. It concludes by looking at what the future holds for deployment of renewable energy in the UK, and how much capacity we can expect online in the short and medium term.
Embrace the Revolution: Delivering 2020, Manifesto for wind, wave and tidal power
This document looks at crucial issues which need to be addressed if the UK is to deliver on the EU 2020 renewable energy targets including: grid, supply chain RADAR, planning, small systems and innovation and enterprise.
Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy: The Times Special Report
Published in The Times on 21st October 2008, the opening day of the BWEA30 conference and exhibition, this special report looks at current issues in the wind and marine energy sector. Special feature is the UK wind energy map on pages 8 and 9 giving current totals of wind energy capacity per region.
Skills and employment in the wind, wave and tidal stream industries
In summer 2008, BWEA commissioned Bain & Company and SQW to produce a linked pair of reports investigating the subject of skills and employment in the wind, wave and tidal stream industries. Published at BWEA30, these studies show that there is a huge opportunity for 'green collar' jobs in the industry, but also that many actors will have to work together to ensure delivery of the skills required. BWEA will use these reports to inform its strategy on skills and employment in the future.
- Bain & Co have produced estimates of current employment in the wind sector, future employment based on scenarios of delivery in 2020, and an analysis of the skills shortages affecting the industry. Click here to download this report (PDF format)
- SQW have surveyed the skills 'landscape' to inform BWEA of the actors involved and the actions that our industry and others must undertake to bring forward a suitably skilled workforce. Click here to download this report (PDF format)
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