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.
Neolithic find ‘outside Mynydd y Betws wind site’
Most of the newly-discovered neolithic stone row at Mynydd y Betws falls outside construction work on the multi-million pound windfarm, according to county council chiefs. But officers say around five metres of the stone alignment will be dest-royed by the access road. They were responding to claims by one of the UK’s leading heritage lawexperts that work on the 15-turbine windfarm should stop. Peter Alexander- Fitzgerald of Rescue – The British Archaelogical Trust – wants a full survey of the . . .
Welsh MP Alun Cairns urges cut in wind farm subsidy
A south Wales MP says wind farms are inefficient and he has joined over 100 fellow Conservatives to urge a cut in tax subsidies for onshore turbines. Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns told BBC’s Sunday Politics they are too expensive. The MPs are also asking Prime Minister David Cameron to change planning rules to make it easier for local people to object to their construction. The UK government said wind farms were “cost-effective and valuable”. Mr Cairns said: “My . . .
Hundreds protest in Llangefni over wind turbine proposals
Protesters converged on Anglesey Council headquarters before talks on building gigantic wind turbines on the Island. Anglesey Against Wind Turbines (AAWT) demonstrated yesterday (Wednesday, February 1) as councillors met to discuss the four applications, which include a near 40 metre turbine in Bodneithior. An AAWT spokesman warned building commercial turbines higher than 15 metres could affect the Island’s £250m annual tourism income. He said: “People are coming here while the landscape is pristine, but will they still come when the . . .
Councillors address Senedd on windfarms
Welshpool councillors have presented the Welsh Government with reasons why they are opposed to large scale windfarm development in Mid Wales. Welshpool mayor Estelle Bleivas and Councillors Ann Holloway and John Meredith went to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last Thursday, along with town clerk Robert Robinson, and addressed members of the Environment and Sustainabilty Committee on turbine transportation and how it would have a disastrous effect on Welshpool and the surrounding areas. In a presentation given by Cllr Bleivas . . .
Historic Powys windfarm debate broadcast live
A historic windfarm debate, broadcast live on the internet, took place at County Hall last week. Jeremy Patterson, chief executive of Powys County Council (PCC), said windfarms were matters of ‘very great concern’ to the county. The meeting followed an announcement by National Grid that it will announce its preferred site for a 20-acre electricity hub, and transport route, by the end of March. “I know you have strong feelings on this, and perhaps feel as though you have not . . .
Makes a nonsense of claim
Gordon James implies that the Princes Gate Spring Water wind turbine will play a part in “saving our planet” but Geoffrey Sinclair points out that its trivial contribution to reducing CO2 emission is less than a thousandth of the saving by the proposed Atlantic Array (Wind turbine plans blow up new storm, 18 January). Mr Sinclair is nearer to hitting the nail on the head but both these statements could only be true if wind power itself mitigates substantial CO2 . . .
Hundreds attend protest over Anglesey wind turbines – video
Hundreds of wind turbine protesters rallied outside Anglesey council – as the local authority announced it would temporarily halt debating applications. Campaigners marched on the council offices in Llangefni yesterday, reflecting the growing anger over the proliferation of “monster” turbines across the island countryside. Protesters also voiced concerns over biomass and bio gas proposals on the island. Several speakers addressed the crowd – including a caravan park owner who said it was already damaging his business – before the 300 . . .
PR gaffe alerts residents to windfarm plan
A public relations gaffe by a environmental management company has woken residents up to the prospect of another windfarm being built in Clocaenog Forest. A press release made public by Spencer Environmental Care Associates (ECA), said the company had been awarded a contract by Forestry Commission Wales to carry out clearance work ahead of a major wind farm construction project on four sites commencing in the summer of 2012. The information was released despite no plans being granted by the . . .
Anti-turbine website set up
A Woolacombe-based group against the proposed Atlantic Array Windfarm has set up a website. Atlantic Disarray was set up at the end of last year to try and oppose the proposed development of the offshore wind farm. Construction of the wind farm could see either 188 turbines at 220 metres high, or 417 at 165 metres in the Bristol Channel — 14km away from Woolacombe. Find the group’s website at www.atlanticdisarray.org.uk.
Whither ‘Energy Island’ as 250 protest wind turbines (& other energy projects) outside Anglesey County Council
Over 250 Ynys Môn residents joined this afternoon’s mass demonstration outside the Council offices to protest against the large number of planning applications which have been submitted on the Island for ‘monster’ wind turbines of up to 100 metres (330 ft) in height — the equivalent of almost four Marquis of Anglesey’s Columns stacked one on top of the other. The large turnout on a weekday furthermore proves that Ynys Môn residents are far more concerned about wind turbines than . . .
