Wind Power News: Wales
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.
Reeves Hill wind farm oponents look to review
Campaigners hoping to stop a wind farm being built in Herefordshire have been given new hope with the prospect of an environmental study being carried out by Powys Council. The Stonewall Hill Conservation Group received renewed cause for optimism – despite seeing its objections against the proposed development near Lingen being quashed by a judicial review hearing last month. But protestors may now have the backing of the Welsh Government after a proposed change to the site access road – . . .
AM Byron Davies accuses wind farm developer of bungling
An Assembly Member has accused a wind farm developer of bungling an application for a temporary wind mast. But RWE npower renewables said it had correctly followed planning inspectorate guidelines. The energy company already has planning permission to build 16 turbines at Mynydd y Gwair, near Felindre, Swansea. It wants to site a temporary mast to monitor wind speeds. AM Byron Davies claimed the company’s planning notice for the mast did not include a map showing the exact location. Therefore, . . .
Windfarms ‘greatest threat’ in a lifetime
Plans to build windfarms in Mid Wales is the ‘greatest threat’ to the area in a lifetime, a leading councillor has claimed. Councillor Peter Lewis issued the warning as he was appointed the Montgomeryshire chairman on Powys County Council. Mr Lewis, who represents Llanfyllin on the council, thanked outgoing chairman Councillor Francesca Jump for her work over the past 12 months and warned the next 12 months would be another crucial time for the county. He said: “It is a . . .
Farmer urges caution over wind turbines
A farmer is warning others do to proper research before investing in renewable energy after her wind turbine installation proved ‘totally disappointing’. Ella James, who farms sheep in Builth Wells, Mid Wales, claims she was ill advised by Scottish firm SIAC Wind Energy. Mrs James said she was told the 10kW turbine would produce an estimated annual yield of 26,810kWh, but in 12 months it has only achieved 8,000kWh. She said: “Taking into account we have had one of the . . .
TV presenter Iolo Williams says ‘sign the petition’
Welsh wildlife presenter Iolo Williams is urging people to sign up to the County Times petition against mass windfarm development in Powys. Iolo, who lives in Llandyssil and is known for presenting wild life programmes on television, said people should back the campaign to prevent the desecration of Mid Wales. He said: “People say windfarms are green but they are not in any way, they desecrate our landscape, divide communities and then people find that when you have them you . . .
Prince Harry’s wind turbine views are welcomed in Mid Wales fight
Campaigners fighting major plans to create pylons linking windfarms in Mid Wales to the National Grid in Shropshire have found an unlikely ally – Prince Harry. The prince voiced concerns about the visual impact of windfarms during his tour of America. His comments came after he attended a reception in Denver and his views are apparently shared by his father the Prince of Wales. It comes just weeks ahead of the start of a public inquiry into plans to build . . .
Public have say on Clocaenog Forest wind turbine application
A controversial application for 32 wind turbines has reached a pivotal point. Residents are being asked to officially register their interest by June 12 if they want to be allowed to have their say on the Clocaenog Forest wind farm. RWE npower renewables submitted their plans to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), which is the independent body that decides applications for ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’ such as this, last month. PINS had a month to check the documents had all been . . .
Protesters scrap plans for judicial review
The possibility of launching a judicial review against plans to build 28 wind turbines in the Brechfa Forest has now been dropped. The Secretary of State for Climate Change, MP Gregory Barker, gave his consent to the application last month. He granted permission to the company RWE Npower Renewables to build the wind farm on forestry land near the existing Alltwalis Wind Farm. Protesters had said they would consider a judicial review but have now decided against this course of . . .
No justification for more turbines
No letter to the editor could be adequate to the outrageous decision to allow energy giant RWE to encircle the 12 noisy wind turbines above Gwyddgrug, Statkraft’s Alltwalis wind farm, with 28 bigger turbines in Brechfa Forest. If wind turbines were the best, or even a sustainable, way of exploiting natural resources to make energy for human use, the decision, and the process by which it was made, would still be highly questionable. As it is, while ancient pasture and . . .
Anti-windfarm groups launch fighting fund
A fighting fund has been launched to ensure that campaign groups are legally represented at a public inquiry into plans to build a series of windfarms in Mid Wales next month. The groups, including Montgomeryshire Against Pylons, say if the plans for hundreds of turbines across the Mid Wales uplands can be halted it may stop the need for high voltage electricity lines across Shropshire linking a new sub station in Cefn Coch to the National Grid at Frankton near . . .
