Wind Power News: U.K.
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
‘It’s like they’re breeding’: Highland villagers demand end to wind farm developments around scenic area
Highland villagers have insisted “enough is enough” as they demand an end to wind farm developments around their community. Residents in Rosehall, Sutherland, have issued a desperate plea to the Scottish Government to draw a line now. Between operational and proposed developments, the residents so far face the prospect of 136 turbines in close proximity. The latest proposal is by EnergieKontor for 16 turbines about a mile south of the A837 Invershin to Lochinver road near Oykel Bridge and less . . . Complete story »
Seabirds at risk
How tragic it is to read that our blundering politicians in their efforts to “save the planet’ will actually be contributing to an accelerating environmental disaster. How can the 290 jobs being created to build wind turbine generator foundation jackets at the BiFab yard in Methil (Scotsman, 16 April) be desicribed as “green jobs”? It is patently ridiculous. Specifically, as the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm – the destination for the foundation jackets – should never have been approved . . . Complete story »
Bid to build wind turbines as developer Infinergy hopes for an extension to the 13-turbine Tom nan Clach Wind Farm
Wind farm developer Infinergy has applied for a scoping opinion from the Scottish Government for an extension to the 13-turbine Tom nan Clach Wind Farm. The developer, in a joint venture with the Earl of Cawdor, known as Nan Clach Extension Limited, proposes to submit an application for eight more wind turbines and associated infrastructure at Cawdor Estate and Lethen Estate. It could meet the demands of up to 20,598 homes. Esbjorn Wilmar, managing director of Infinergy said: “We are . . . Complete story »
Proposed windfarm power cable poses ‘existential threat’ to charity
A Suffolk disability charity has warned installing a cable to connect a proposed offshore windfarm to the mainland could force it to close. The Warden’s Trust, based between Sizewell and Thorpeness, is a cliffside retreat for children and adults that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Dr Alexander Gimson, chair of trustees, said the resort’s key selling point is its idyllic location. However, Dr Gimson fears ScottishPower’s proposal to lay a cable between a windfarm in the North Sea . . . Complete story »
Another wind farm planned as campaign group says we are at ‘saturation’ point
German-owned firm Energiekontor has applied for Dumfries and Galloway Council for planning permission to build a new wind at Garcrogo. The new development, which would be situated two miles north-west of the village of Corsock, would see the erection of nine wind turbines up to 200m in height and would be operational for 35 years. The renewable energy development company, which has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Leeds has built eight wind farms to date in the UK and is . . . Complete story »
Communities need wind farm voice
The Greens want to upgrade existing wind farms and relax planning restrictions to make it easier to install wind farms. Have they asked rural communities for their opinion? Insensitively-sited wind farms are objected to in droves by local people and councils as well as statutory consultees such as RSPB and Nature Scot, but the Scottish Government ploughs ahead, overturning these democratically-made decisions, and there is no right of appeal for third parties other than through judicial review which is financially . . . Complete story »
Golticlay would have been ‘binned’ under fairer planning system, says wind farm pressure group
A pressure group says the decision to approve Golticlay Wind Farm in Caithness underlines the need for reform of Scotland’s planning system to take greater account of local opinion. Scotland Against Spin (SAS) has submitted a public petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for power to be given to local authorities and communities so they can make their own decisions on wind farm applications “and not have them overridden by Scottish ministers”. SAS believes its case has been strengthened by . . . Complete story »
Caithness wind farm campaigner challenges First Minister to listen to views of local people
A Caithness wind farm campaigner has challenged Nicola Sturgeon to “put her money where her mouth is” when it comes to listening to the views of local people. Brenda Herrick says communities in the far north and elsewhere in the country “are being ignored and their voices not heard” when it comes to decisions on wind farms. “It is like living in a dictatorship rather than a democracy,” she said. Mrs Herrick, who stays in Castletown, pointed out that last . . . Complete story »
In the rush to protect the environment we are willing to damage it
Richer countries are pushing renewable energies which are carbon neutral, such as wind and solar and tide and geothermal. Other advances, such as vastly improved insulation in buildings, will help create a much less polluted world. Nuclear power, which is controversial but which does not produce carbon dioxide, ought to be a key part of modern energy sources, is heavily used in nations such as France but rejected in others such as Germany, because it produces waste. In Northern Ireland, . . . Complete story »
Scottish Government won’t look again at onshore wind impact on tourism, Caithness councillor is told
A Caithness councillor has been told that the Scottish Government has no plans to look again at whether onshore wind farms are having a negative impact on tourism. At the same time, the government has reiterated that wind energy can have a positive effect on communities through skilled employment and community benefit funding. Councillor Matthew Reiss, who has been calling for further research into the consequences of multiple wind farms, said the response smacked of “complacency and arrogance”. He has . . . Complete story »
