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THE UNITED KINGDOM IS THE LEADING PRODUCER OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER IN THE WORLD, HAVING OVERTAKEN DENMARK, MAKING MAXIMUM USE OF ITS CONSIDERABLE WIND RESOURCE.


Although onshore turbines are currently generating more power than their offshore counterparts, this is set to change over the coming few years as a number of ambitious projects are approved. A particular area of interest is the North Sea, and as a direct consequence, the North East of England which it borders.


THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND CLIMATE OF THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND


North East England is the region to the east of the Pennines, with land sloping gently down from west to east towards the North Sea coast. Its regional weather is moderated to a large extent by both of these natural barriers.


The Pennines regulate rainfall patterns to a large extent, with high-altitude western locations near the tops of the hills experiencing the wettest conditions annually. The high ground has the opposite effect further east, acting as a shield against precipitation driven in by the prevailing westerly flow (see wind rose), a process that is know as the ‘rain- shadow’ effect. Consequently, places on the east coast such as Teesside and the Northumbrian Coast are among the driest in the UK, with annual totals comparable to regions in East Anglia. The notoriously cool North Sea has a similarly dramatic effect on temperatures in these coastal regions, with summertime values often much lower than only a few miles inland.


IS THE NORTH EAST A GOOD LOCATION FOR WIND TURBINES? The North East of England is bordered by the North Sea to its east, which is a major focus for offshore wind farm development. There are several reasons why this body of water is expected to be the preeminent location in the country in the coming few years:


The water is relatively shallow and this lowers the cost of construction. A large proposed area of development is at Dogger Bank, a large sandbank some 100 km off the east coast of England, which is the shallowest region of all with a depth of only 15-20m in places.


The wind resource is favourable. Prevailing westerly flow (see wind rose) is strong and provides a consistent source of power. Strong winds also extend a long way east into the North Sea, increasing the area for potential development in the future.


Gale force winds that can force turbines to temporarily shut down are relatively infrequent, making the turbines more productive. The lower frequency of damaging gusts also means that maintenance should be required less often, further reducing costs.


WHY IS THE NE IN A PRIME LOCATION TO BENEFIT FROM THE GROWTH OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER? The North East is at the forefront for continued offshore development not because of specific meteorological factors, but because of its proximity to the North Sea, which will be home to an ever-increasing number of wind farms in the next few years. As a region with rich industrial history, the North East should benefit hugely from this development, which is expected to create thousands of new jobs over the coming decade. Major ports such as Hull and Newcastle also lie in favourable positions to access any future development off the east coast of both England and Scotland.


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