World’s First Offshore Wind Farm Retires: A Post-Mortem

There was worse to come. Halfway through the World Bank summit, a London think-tank published a report in which the bank’s former head of research suggested the entire institution be shut down. The document, distributed at the meeting, was produced by the Global Warming Policy Foundation with examples of how, in their view, the poor are losing out. Titled, “The Anti-Development Bank,” the paper was authored by economist Rupert Darwall, one-time advisor to the UK treasury. But it wasn’t the text that stung so much as some of the quotes. —The Zimbabwean, 19 October 2017

The first-ever offshore wind farm, Vindeby, in Danish waters, is being decommissioned after twenty-five years. By its nature, it was an experiment, and we can now see whether or not it has been a successful alternative to fossil or nuclear-fuelled electricity. The lesson learned from the considerations discussed above is that wind farms like these early examples could not power a modern economy unless assisted by substantial fossil-fuelled energy. –Michael J Kelly, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, GWPF Energy, 18 October 2017

Norway, a world leader in zero-emission vehicles, on Thursday proposed a “Tesla tax” aimed at cutting a tax advantage granted to large electric cars in a heavily criticised move. The proposal was immediately dubbed the “Tesla tax” because it primarily affects the high-end models made by the American manufacturer. Buying a new Tesla X would cost about 70,000 kroner (7,500 euros/$8,800) more. —The Local Norway, 14 October 2017

At this week’s annual meeting of the World Bank, the United States is seeking to rein in the World Bank so it focuses on its mission to alleviate world poverty by helping countries access and use fossil fuels more efficiently. It is up to the World Bank’s shareholders to rescue the World Bank from itself by requiring it to desist from its inhumane and senseless attempt to try to save the planet on the backs of the world’s poor. The World Bank’s mission is straightforward. It is to alleviate poverty. The sooner it reverts to its true mission, the sooner all the world’s poor can realise the dream of cheap, reliable power. –Rupert Darwall, Quadrant, 18 October 2017

The UN is forever banging on about global injustice and admits that wealth redistribution is among its sustainable development goals. Yet at the same time, its policy of eco-imperialism forces renewables on a reluctant but largely helpless developing world — the surest way of guaranteeing that the world’s poorest nations stay that way. –James Delingpole, The Spectator, 19 October 2017