Broadcast legend Andrew Neil has cast doubt on Labour’s renewable energy ambitions, warning that wind power is still far too unreliable to support Britain’s needs. Writing on X, the presenter noted: “Wind is, this morning, meeting less than 5% of our electricity needs and a mere 3% of total electricity generating wind capacity is currently being utilised – simply because there is so little wind.
“Yes, I know there are days when wind generates much more. But, until ways are devised of storing at scale and economically the electricity generated on these days, that is frankly irrelevant. The huge cost of alternative back up generation (eg gas) for days like this is only one of many reasons why claims that renewables generate the cheapest electricity are disingenuous.
“Yet politicians and the Grifters of the Green Blob continue to lie about this on an industrial scale.”
The intervention comes as Energy Secretary Ed Miliband places his faith in a rapid expansion of renewable power.
His flagship pledge is to make Britain a “clean energy superpower” by 2030, with a complete decarbonisation of the power grid.
But critics warn that if Britain continues to suffer some of the highest power costs in the developed world, the country risks remaining stuck in a low-growth trap with rising debt and a widening competitive gap with Europe and the US.
Neil’s warning sparked heated debate online. One commenter replied: “Yes, wind can fall below 5% on still days. Backup is needed, and large-scale storage is still developing.
“That’s a real challenge. But one morning snapshot is not the whole story… wind isn’t irrelevant, it’s already a cornerstone of UK supply and key to cutting fossil fuel dependence.”
Others echoed Neil’s scepticism. One said: “Thank you Andrew. Finally someone is prepared to point out just one of the massive flaws with wind. We have our own reserves of gas that could be produced cheaply and used to meet domestic demand with the surplus exported.”
