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 and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Blimp to fly at sites of proposed wind turbines
An MP has persuaded an energy company to fly a blimp at the site of two proposed wind turbines. Rutland and Melton MP, Alan Duncan, argued it was the best way for people in the villages of Ketton – where the 100m (328ft) turbines would be sited and nearby Tinwell – to understand their size and visual impact. REG Windpower, of Cornwall, initially refused, providing instead photo-montages and 3D computer modelling. More than 200 people who attended a public meeting . . .
Une éolienne perd une pale dans l’Eure-et-Loir
[Wind turbine loses a blade in l'Eure-et-Loir — Last Friday, the 2-MW machine in the Chemin d'Ablis facility lost one of its 46-m (151-ft) blades, although the information was not released until the end of the day yesterday.] Une éolienne de 2 MW a perdu vendredi dernier une pale de 46 mètres dans le parc éolien du Chemin d’Ablis dans l’Eure-et-Loir mais l’information n’est tombée qu’hier en fin de journée. Selon EDF Energies Nouvelles qui gère le parc, il s’agit . . .
Les éoliennes vaudoises déplaisent à Neuchâtel
[Wind turbine plans in Vaud upset Neuchâtel — The Vaud wind energy plan presented 2 weeks ago by Jacqueline de Quattro includes three projects sited a short distance from the canton of Neuchâtel. The largest is near the iconic site of Creux-du-Van, where Neuchâtel bans wind turbines] La planification éolienne cantonale, présentée il y a quinze jours par Jacqueline de Quattro, a retenu trois projets éoliens situés à quelques encablures du canton de Neuchâtel. C’est peu dire que ces parcs éoliens . . .
Air traffic objection to proposed wind farm near East Heslerton
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has become the latest organisation to lodge a formal objection to a proposed 10-turbine wind farm near East Heslerton. The UK’s most senior airspace management body has written to Ryedale District Council warning of ‘serious safety risks for air traffic’ as it could interfere with radar at Claxby in Lincolnshire. Plans to build the 126-metre high turbines, which could produce enough electricity to power almost 10,000 homes, were submitted by RWE npower renewables last April, . . .
Powys substation and pylons decision delayed again
Plans to announce where a controversial electricity substation and high voltage power lines could be built in Powys have been delayed again. The National Grid was expected to reveal the location later this month, but officials say they need more time. Two sites at Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, and Abermule, near Newtown, have been suggested for the substation. Pylons or underground cables are also planned to carry electricity to the transmission network in Shropshire. The National Grid announced its . . .
Council denies windfarm company access to beach
The company behind plans for a major windfarm off the Lincolnshire coast have been refused access to Chapel St Leonards beach. RWE npower renewables contacted the council to request permission to access the beach, leased by the council, in order to conduct non-intrusive ecological surveys. The company is carrying out surveys across the area to establish potential cable routes for connection to an existing substation at Bicker Fen. But councillors at Chapel St Leonards Parish Council objected to the plans. . . .
Public meeting over Church’s turbine plans
Villagers are seeing red over the Church’s drive to bolster its green credentials by building turbines in three rural communities. A public meeting will be held at the church hall in Chittlehampton, North Devon, at 7.30pm tonight, to discuss plans to build two 25-metre turbines on farmland. The Archdeacon of Totnes will attend on behalf of the Diocese. A meeting has already been held to discuss similar plans in Black Torrington, and East Anstey residents will meet at the community . . .
Anti-turbine petition bound for Welsh Assembly
Campaigners fighting a plan to erect a wind turbine at Blaenau were handing in a petition at Carmarthenshire county council’s Llandeilo office this week. It follows a stormy meeting at a packed Caerbryn Hall, when residents expressed fierce opposition to the proposal put forward by local businessman Alan Davies, of D J Davies Fuels Ltd. L a s t week the Guardian r ev e a l e d that householders feared their lives would be blighted if the wind . . .
SNP accused of ignoring protests over wind turbines
The Scottish Government has overruled councils on seven out of ten decisions to approve massive unwanted wind farms. The extent of the Nationalists’ wind power obsession is laid bare by new figures on the number of turbines given the go-ahead since 2007. Twenty-six out of 31 applications for large wind farms have been rubber-stamped – and only five rejected. Wind farms producing more than 50 megawatts of power go straight to Scottish Ministers. However, councils can object and then the . . .
Storm over wind farm
A man living in the Loughgiel area has expressed outrage that planners are minded to give the go-ahead for a wind farm which he says will spoil the scenic views from his rural home. Eamonn McBride heads the Orra Action Group which is opposed to a wind farm being built in the Altaveedan district. He is angry that planners brought an ‘approval’ opinion to a meeting of Ballymoney Council last night (Monday May 21) despite at least 95 letters of . . .
