Choosing a local electricity project
Fictional decision exercise. A fictional authority has £20 million. Estimated annual output is in gigawatt-hours, not peak power. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.
| Option | Capital cost (£ million) | Annual electricity output (GWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Wind farm | 18 | 45 |
| Solar roofs | 12 | 22 |
| Small hydro | 19 | 38 |
Options
Wind farm
18
High annual output for the capital budget
Variable output
landscape and wildlife impacts need assessment
Solar roofs
12
Uses existing buildings
Output is seasonal
installation agreements take time
Small hydro
19
May provide predictable output where flows are sufficient
Changes river conditions and is vulnerable to low flows
Stakeholder evidence
Resident: Landscape changes affect our village.
Grid operator: Output timing and network capacity matter.
River group: Fish movement needs protection.
Use the resource
Read possible decision reasoning
A strong response can favour any listed option when its priorities and evidence are consistent. Compare costs with the available budget, use the annual electricity output measure accurately, and discuss at least one limitation. Explain why an alternative is less suitable for the stated priority. Estimates do not guarantee outcomes; identify further information needed before a real decision.