PRESS RELEASE

Action Group stand by Energy Generation Claims

The KNOll to Windfarm Action Group note that Dale Vince, Managing Director of Ecotricity, the commercial developer proposing the wind farm between Burnham on Sea and Brent Knoll has commented in the press that

• His company has 10 years experience of wind speed and wind output;
• Electricity generated will not go into the National Grid, but going straight into local properties;
• His company’s estimates that sufficient energy would be generated to meet the supply needs of 8000 local homes is actually a conservative estimate;
• KNOll to Windfarm don’t mention the name of the engineers who have produced its estimates.

Andrew Manning, spokesperson for KNOll to Windfarm comments

“ We have consulted two eminent technical sources, Dr. John Constable of the Renewable Energy Foundation, and Alan Spencer , a professional electrical engineer with more than 30 years experience in the UK electricity supply industry with wide experience in operational and advisory positions.

We stand by our methodology and conclusions that a significantly lower level of energy would be generated by the five turbines currently proposed by Ecotricity for the site.

We also note that Ecotricity has recently been admonished by the Advertising Standards Authority concerning claims it made for power generation at Swaffham (one of its few sites in the UK.)

Furthermore, this week the Department of Trade and Industry has published a study showing that energy outputs from on-shore wind turbines in the UK has proven to be less than that estimated by pro-wind lobbies.

We are also intrigued how Ecotricity proposes to supply 8000 local homes without using the National Grid. This seems far fetched;

· How would it transmit electricity to the homes?

· Has it sold supply contracts to every house in the area?

· How would it provide the required back up power for when wind is not available without using the Grid?

We believe there is a growing credibility gap for Ecotricity’s proposals.”

Contact Andrew Manning 07765 896781

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication+Details.htm?Adjudication_id=40915