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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Windfarm cables could wreck Sussex Bronze Age monument
Heritage campaigners fear cabling for a new windfarm could wreck an important archaeological site. The cross dyke at Tottington Mount, near Upper Beeding, dates back as far as 2000BC. Energy giant E.ON wants to dig under the Bronze Age monument for cabling to connect the proposed offshore Rampion windfarm to the National Grid. The cable will go through the South Downs National Park to connect the 195 turbines off the Sussex coast between Brighton and Newhaven to an electricity connection . . .
Necton villagers launch campaign against substation
Worried villagers have launched a campaign to fight plans for an electricity substation alongside the A47 near Swaffham. The 15-acre site near Necton is Warwick Energy’s second-preference location for facilities to connect the planned £1.5bn Dudgeon offshore windfarm to the National Grid. Campaign leader Louise Willis said the village would put up as strong a fight as nearby Little Dunham, on the other side of the A47, which is Warwick’s preferred location. That application was turned down by Breckland councillors, . . .
RES to vary Den Brook condition?
Wind farm developer RES is consulting on a variation of a tight condition on amplitude modulation (AM) at the proposed Den Brook wind farm in Devon. Den Brook was the scene of a high profile battle between near-neighbour Mike Hulme and the developer. Hulme was concerned that amplitude modulation would cause disturbance, and the case went in and out of the High Court (Noise Bulletin June 2011 p1). The outcome was that RES won permission – but with a tight . . .
Villagers out in force against wind farm
Villagers drummed up support – in the form of 200 people – against controversial plans to build wind farms. They turned up at a public meeting held by the Stop Litlington Wind Farm Action Group, in the village hall. The meeting was held to hear the views of residents in response to a planning application submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council for five turbines on farmland in the village. Philip Jones, of the action group, said: “I think we had . . .
Windfarms under fire; MoD refuses to back down over Buchan plans
Military chiefs are refusing to back down in their battle against wind turbines in Buchan — claiming they could pose a threat to national security. The Ministry of Defence has objected to 30 projects which it claims could cause havoc with radar equipment at RAF Buchan, south of Peterhead. These range from one-turbine schemes to a plan for 12 masts at Mormond Hill, near Strichen. It has also submitted a formal objection against the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, an . . .
Electricity bills set to rise to pay for wind farm subsidies
Household electricity bills will rise by as much as a quarter to pay for wind farms and other forms of renewable energy, according to a new report. The study challenges the Government’s claims that energy bills will actually fall in the next eight years because of energy efficiency savings. The Coalition is relying on the savings to offset the price increases caused by renewable energy subsidies. Those extra costs are added on to household bills in the form of consumer . . .
Firm behind offshore windfarm plans holds week of public exhibitions
Plans for the first phase of what would be Scotland’s biggest renewable energy project went on display this week. Seagreen Wind Energy showcased proposals that would see an initial 150 turbines constructed 17 miles off the Angus coast. The plans were on display in Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee and Tealing over the course of the week, with representatives of the company, a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy and American engineering firm Fluor, meeting the public to discuss the . . .
It’s a ridge too far for local villagers
The attention of the district’s wind farm opposition was focused on Towcester this week during the opening of a planning inquiry into a project near Helmdon. On Tuesday Government appointed inspector Elizabeth Fieldhouse officially opened the inquiry at the South Northants Council chamber into proposals for five 125m turbines at Spring Farm Ridge, just off the B4525. The inquiry was called after SNC’s development control committee refused permission for the proposal by Broadview Energy last June. Around 30 members of . . .
Wind farm developer’s plans to cut trees angers residents
Residents in the Swansea Valley are furious after hearing a wind farm developer could be about to chop down trees on the approach to their town. Irish electricity firm ESB is claimed to be ready to cut down trees on a major roundabout in Pontardawe, in readiness to allow lorries carrying huge turbines to pass on their way to a new wind farm in Mynydd y Betws, behind Rhydyfro. The route, starting from Swansea docks, is yet to receive official . . .
Askam urged to oppose windfarm
Askam residents have been urged to oppose plans for a windfarm which would be visible from across the Duddon Estuary. Anti-windfarm campaigner Les Nichols made the rallying call in response to REG Windpower’s application to build a six-turbine windfarm at Langthwaite, near Millom. Mr Nichols – a leading figure in the Marton, Askam and Ireleth Windfarm Action Group – told a meeting of Askam and Ireleth Parish Council that Askam residents’ concerns should be considered by the planning authority, Copeland . . .
