The GMB has called on the renewables sector to “face up to the need for a base load electricity capacity that is reliable and clean on the days the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine”.
The UK union pointed to figures from the Balancing Mechanism Reporting System that showed 12 days since October when wind was “supplying 10% or less of the installed and connected wind capacity to the grid”.
It said: “When your electricity supply was ‘gone with the wind’ the response of the renewable energy suppliers that ‘frankly my dear we don’t give a damn’ is just not acceptable.”
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: “There can be up to eight to 10 days per month when there is not a lot of output from the . . . installed and connected wind capacity in the UK.
GMB said it will publish “a regular wind watch to assist public debate” and that its 639,000 want to keep the lights. “Unless there is a scientific breakthrough on carbon capture, nuclear and gas are the only shows in town. Those advocating renewable energy have to accept this”.
Image: GMB officials have questioned value of wind (reNEWS)
