Wind farms: Generating power and jobs?

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is launching a £100bn programme to build more offshore wind farms.

Bids for tenders for nine zones around territorial waters and the Continental Shelf were submitted to the Crown Estate, which owns the seabed to a distance of 22.2km off the UK coast.
According to the British Wind Energy Association, the UK has potentially the largest offshore wind resource in the world, with relatively shallow waters and a strong wind resource extending far into the North Sea.
The UK has been estimated to have more than 33% of the total European potential offshore wind resource, which is enough to power the country nearly three times over.

Each of the new zones will each have a range of energy-producing capacity.

According to figures released by the winning licence bidders, the smallest will be able to produce around 600 megawatts and one, based at the Dogger Bank zone, will have a capacity of 9,000 megawatts.

To put this into context, an average coal or gas powered station produces between 1,000 and 1,500 megawatts.

Offshore farms are more expensive to build.

Per megawatt of stored energy capacity, a gas powered station costs £1m to build, a nuclear power station costs £3m and a wind farm costs £3m.

Offshore farms are weather dependent. Whereas a nuclear power station operates all the time, a wind farm only operates when the wind is blowing.

However, there are no expensive fuel costs involved in wind farming.
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Pensioners could lose £3,500 if they apply for boiler scrappage

Pensioners looking to take advantage of the scheme have been urged to check first if they are eligible for a Warm Front grant – or risk missing out on £3,500.
Pensioners and low-income households receiving benefits can apply for help purchasing and installing a new boiler under the Warm Front scheme, which could cover the cost in full.

If they apply for the scrappage scheme instead, they will forfeit their right to the Warm Front funding.
The maximum available under the Warm Front scheme is £3,500, which can help pay for loft insulation, draught-proofing and repairs to an existing heating system, as well as a new boiler.

If you receive income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit or pension credit you are advised to apply to the Warm Front scheme.

Grants are tiered according to needs and income and more information is available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. If your application to the Warm Front scheme is unsuccessful, you can still apply for the boiler scrappage scheme.

The £400 scrappage vouchers will be sent out from January 18 and applications can be made by calling 0800 512012 or emailing boilerscrappage@est.org.uk with your contact details and current boiler make and model.

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The cost of boiler breakdown cover

Research from consumer organisation Which? found that nearly one in three of all new boilers will break down within their first six years of operation, with repair costs often running into hundreds of pounds.

For example, according to website boiler-care.co.uk , to sort out a problem with a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat from the hot gases to the circulating water and is one of the most common breakdown problems, would cost around £325.
You should also bear in mind that if you have a new boiler, this sort of cover may not be necessary at all, as you may already be covered for breakdowns by a warranty.
You should also check with your household insurer that emergency breakdown isn't already covered by your home policy, although often even when it is, cover limits tend to be relatively low.

Some insurers include it as standard in their buildings cover. For example, Legal & General includes home emergency cover of up to £150 to cover call-out fees, labour costs and materials.

Prudential also automatically includes home emergency cover in its home insurance policies. This covers call out fees, parts, labour and materials up to £250 per call-out for emergencies relating to the main source of heating in the home.

It also covers emergencies relating to electricity supply, internal plumbing and drainage, as well as locks, doors and windows.

If you are claiming benefits, then paying for cover could again be unnecessary, as you may be eligible for a Warm Front grant of up to £3,500 to cover you for boiler repairs or replacement.

People aged over 60 who don't qualify for a grant may still be able to get a £300 rebate on work carried out on a system that is inoperable. For more information, visit the website www.warmfront.co.uk , or telephone 0800 316 2808.
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Does my boiler need replacing?

If you have a G-rated boiler or below, the chances are it's less than efficient. That's why British Gas is ready to help you replace it now with our £400 boiler scrappage discount. Combined with the government's new £400 boiler scrappage allowance, you will be able to claim £800* towards the cost of getting a new energy-efficient boiler installed.

You can use our guide below to establish your boiler's rating and to see how much money you could save by replacing your boiler.
What do I do next?

* 1 - Do a check on our tool below to see if you have a G or X rated boiler with an efficiency rating of less than 70%.
* 2 - Call us now to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced heating advisers.
* 3 - Contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012 to claim your £400 allowance from the government.

Please note that the Energy Savings Trust will not issue a voucher without confirmation that you have a quote for a new boiler.

HOW EFFICIENT IS MY BOILER?