Renewables work by capturing the natural energy of sunlight, the wind, decomposing crops, waves and hydro power, tides and sea currents. The energy is converted into electricity, hot water, methane and / or hydrogen fuel.
Recent independent research commissioned by Friends of the Earth Cymru revealed very high support across Wales for more Welsh windfarms both on and offshore
Renewable energy technologies have numerous benefits over fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Renewable energy:
- is generally cost competitive, if not cheaper, than generation by fossil fuels and nuclear power
- emits little if any greenhouse gases unlike fossil fuels
- emits little if any health and countryside damaging acid rain gases and other air pollutants
- is an indigenous, self-sufficient and secure source of energy, essentially forever
- poses minimal opportunities for terrorists, in total contrast to nuclear power facilities
- leaves no long-term toxic legacy such as radioactive waste dumps
- brings energy price stability, because it is little affected by world events
- generally creates more jobs per unit of energy.
Did you know?
- covering one per cent of the Sahara, or similar hot desert, with solar thermal mirror arrays could generate all current global electricity demand
- offshore wind turbines sited within sea areas totalling 70 miles by 70 miles could generate all current UK electricity use. This would offset about 25 per cent of UK global warming emissions.
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