November 24, 2008
England
Huge wind turbines could spring up along the banks of many of the region’s most picturesque rivers under controversial plans being drawn up by a Government agency.
The Environment Agency wants to install up to 80 turbines nationwide to help power its buildings and generate £2.4 million per year in revenue from selling the surplus to the National Grid.
The Environment Agency confirmed yesterday that while the exact locations of the 100m turbines have yet to be confirmed, some will be placed in the South West.
The plan, which has the backing of the Government, will be announced in a speech today by Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency.
It has been attacked by countryside campaigners who fear it will destroy the look of some of the most picturesque parts of the region if they are built here.
Tim Hale, chairman of the Devon branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, said: “The Environment Agency now has responsibility for the safety of rivers. But it is not responsible for the country’s power supply. It should not get into something it does not understand. It is wrong.”
He said he felt the move was motivated more by financial motives that green credentials, because of the subsidies available to producers of environmentally friendly power.
Because of its geographical location and landscape, the Westcountry is a prime area for wind power companies. But many local people oppose their development, mainly on aesthetic grounds.
Dr Leinster told a Sunday newspaper yesterday: “By developing these renewable energy projects, we are helping to limit and adapt to the effects of climate change, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and help develop a low-carbon economy.”
An Environment Agency spokesman said that exact locations for the 100m turbines would be decided later next year, but that some were likely to be built in the South West.
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, said: “We want even more homes, communities, businesses and public sector organisations to join in this national effort to play their part in defeating climate change.”
24 November 2008
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[1] Western Morning News: http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk/news/Environment-Agency-turbines-river-banks/article-495507-detail/article.html
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