How sustainable is wind energy in the UK?
Introduction
Wind energy is the main source of renewable energy in the UK, contributing nearly 30% of the country's total electricity generation. In 2023, there were over 11,000 wind turbines.
Whilst wind energy seems certain to increase in the foreseeable future, there are issues regarding its sustainability particularly in terms of its end-of-life options.
Geography Southwest has worked with the University of the West of England (UWE) to create a new set of resources for KS3 focusing on the role of wind energy in the UK and the end-of-life options. Just how sustainable is wind energy?
The resources include a PowerPoint presentation and a collection of worksheets, one of which is a GIS investigation. Click the icons below to download these resources.’
The authors acknowledge the support received from an RGS-IBG Environment and Sustainability Research Grant via the SUN Institute Environment and Sustainability. Grant reference number: ESRG 05.22
About the Authors
Simon Ross
Author / Consultant
Simon Ross is former Head of Geography and Assistant Head at Queen's College, Taunton. He is founder of Geography Southwest and is a prolific author of geography textbooks.
Carla de Laurentis
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, UWE
Carla is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of the West of England. She contributes to the design and delivery of a range of energy transition and sustainability modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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Our aim is to promote geography and geographical education in the South West of England. Geography SW is a collaborative project driven by a group of enthusiastic geographers who have volunteered their time to create a wide-ranging and dynamic resource to support the wider geographical community.