Wind Power News: Europe
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.
Commission approves proposed acquisition of Gamesa Energía’s wind farm business by Iberdrola Renovables
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Gamesa Energia’s businesses for the promotion and development of wind farms in continental Europe, UK, Mexico and the Dominican Republic by Iberdrola Renovables, a Spanish energy company. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
Iberdrola Renovables S.A. is active in the generation and wholesale of . . .
Residents ‘devastated’ at wind farm decision
News that the Scottish Government has given the go ahead for a 22 turbine wind farm at Drone Hill on Coldingham Moor has provoked an angry response in the Borders.
People living nearby are devastated that, following a public enquiry believed to have cost SBC at least £20,000, Scottish Government Reporter Malcolm Mahony has overturned Scottish Borders Council’s original refusal of the turbine wind farm, after PM Renewables appealed against the decision.
SBC has responded by saying that as the . . .
Germans to scale back offshore wind-energy plans, report says
German plans to install wind turbines in the North Sea will likely be scaled back because of unforeseen construction difficulties and funding limitations owing to the financial crisis, PriceWaterhouseCoopers said.
The windfarms that actually get built may have a capacity to generate 16,000 megawatts of power in 2025 instead of a planned 25,000 megawatts, the consultant said in an e-mailed statement. The conclusions are based on a survey of 26 offshore wind developers that plan to supply electricity to millions . . .
Planners claim turbine designs breach raft of rules
Coronation Power’s designs for more than a dozen wind turbines on the Todmorden hilltops threaten to breach a raft of planning rules and regulations.
According to Calderdale Council planners they could harm springwater supplies, the moorland peat and the visual appearance of the Special Landscape Area.
The noise and flickering light from the blades could affect nearby residents and horses on bridleways.
These are the arguments which it is intended to use when an appeal for five turbines on Todmorden Moor . . .
Wind turbine closed after showering homes with blocks of ice
A wind turbine has been switched off and an investigation launched after its frozen blades showered nearby homes with large chunks of ice.
Residents complained when the 260ft wind generator began hurling shards of ice, some measuring two feet long, after the cold snap over the weekend.
Operators Cornwall Light and Power turned off the machine in Kings Dyke, Whittlesey, Cambs, which is situated next to several homes and an industrial estate.
The energy company has also opened an . . .
Turbines could scare the horses: planners
A power firm’s designs for more than a dozen wind turbines on the Todmorden hilltops breach a raft of planning rules and regulations, claim officials.
According to Calderdale Council planners, Coronation Power’s plans could harm spring water supplies, the moorland peat and the visual appearance of the Special Land-scape Area.
And the noise and flickering light caused by the huge blades could affect nearby residents and horses using bridleways, they say.These are the arguments the council intends to use when . . .
Wind turbines should not be in anyone's back yard
Mr Ashley’s letter (Mercury November 20) regarding the Bleak House turbine plan was an answer to two letters published in the Mercury, so if readers do not get both papers they might be a bit bewildered.
Can I firstly say that anyone who knows me will be aware that I pay lip service to no one.
Yes, I do object to 102 metre turbines near my home but I am not totally selfish, I am not a NIMBY, I am . . .
Fury over North Wales windfarm project
Furious opponents of a massive windfarm off the North Wales heritage coast yesterday accused the UK Government of trampling over their democratic rights to a public inquiry.
The Daily Post revealed exclusively yesterday energy secretary Ed Miliband had approved plans for the world’s second biggest offshore windfarm, creating 150-250 giant turbines just 10 miles off Llandudno.
Developers, npower renewables confirmed the 750MW Gwynt y Môr project, powerful enough to supply 500,000 homes, could now be fully operational by 2014.
The . . .
Firm admits breaches in health and safety
A firm working at the Dalswinton windfarm site north of Dumfries has admitted a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act following an incident in which a worker was seriously injured.
Carillion JM Limited, of Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the use of a dump truck on which it’s alleged the braking system wasn’t fully operation in May last year.
Sentence was deferred for two weeks and the case against another firm, AMD Contract Services, continued without . . .
Firm's pledge to protect Wash fishermen
An energy firm last night pledged to protect fishermen’s fragile livelihood from being damaged by power cables linking a vast windfarm to the Norfolk coast.
Centrica won government consent in October to build about 70 turbines in The Wash to add to the 54 at its existing Lynn and Inner Dowsing sites — already the largest offshore windfarm in the world.
No timetable has yet been set for the Lincs project but, if built, the turbines would be connected to . . .
