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.
Landowners urged to seek advice about pylons route
The next phase of the controversial Mid Wales Connection Project is set to begin in May when National Grid announces its selected route for power lines linking proposed windfarms to a new 19-acre hub at either Abermule, near Newtown or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.’ Shropshire-based Halls advised landowners across North Powys and along the English border to seek professional advice immediately the path of the proposed electricity pylons is announced by National Grid. A 400,000 volt power line carried . . .
Turbine problems
This is an open letter to all political parties: Plaid, Conservative, Liberal, Labour, Independents and People First. Since Alltwalis wind farm opened two years ago – people who live nearby, some three miles away, have been suffering from wind turbine noise (sleep deprivation, headaches, nausea, panic attacks and palpitations amongst other things) and flicker, despite the developers’ initial reassurances that their would be none. Over a thousand local people signed a petition so that their evidence would be heard by . . .
Vote 2012: Blowing up a Powys election storm
BBC Wales is looking at local issues in some of the key council battlegrounds ahead of the council elections on 3 May. Like elsewhere in the country, jobs and the economy are election issues in Powys. Modernising education is a hot topic too. But one subject above all others has commanded the main attention during the months before the local elections is windfarms. It is a subject that has also demanded much of the councillors’ time. That is despite the . . .
War of words erupts as Cameron renews green energy pledge
A war of words erupted yesterday following calls by Prime Minister David Cameron for green energy to become cheaper and “more sustainable”. The Prime Minister made the comments at an international clean energy summit in London that saw ministers gather from 23 countries around the globe. In Wales, where renewables have become a highly divisive issue amid concerns about their impact on scenery, windfarm opponent Michael Williams said the technologies were viable only because they attracted massive subsidies. But Llywelyn . . .
Windfarm protest calls for site’s protection
Aberytsyth played host to a national day of action to launch a nationwide protest movement against wind power last Thursday. The event, organised by the Cambrian Mountains Society, saw a number of people sign a petition against Government support of wind power. And there were calls for the site of a massive windfarm planned for Nant y Moch to be made a listed historic battlefield site because of its links with Owain Glyndŵr. With boards displaying the effects of installing . . .
Mynydd y Betws windfarm operators deny breaking law
A spokesman for the controversial Mynydd y Betws windfarm has rejected a local councillor’s claims that Celtic Energy Renewables are breaking the law. Commenting on windfarm lorries traversing the Betws mountain road, Cllr Annette Price said they were breaching regulations by not having any tyre-washing facilities. And she also maintained that a lights system was required where windfarm lorries were crossing the road. But Rob Fellows, of Celtic Energy Renewables, insisted there was a tyrewashing facility at the site’s main . . .
Park management oppose wind farm
Members of a Tredegar park’s management committee are opposing plans for a wind farm nearby saying it will have a negative visual impact on the site. Bryn Bach Park committee chairman Cllr Jason Owen described the park as “the jewel in Blaenau Gwent’s crown” and said three turbines overlooking it could potentially put people off going there. The park attracts a large portion of the 689,500 tourists who visit Blaenau Gwent a year and millions have been spent over the . . .
Wind power end is near
It was interesting to read the report by your journalist Paul Lewis regarding the wind energy payment squabbles between Glynneath and Onllwyn councils and their big brother Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. It seems that the creation of the Maesgwyn Wind Farm involves a sweetener of £175,000 per annum for 25 years paid to the Glynneath and Onllwyn communities, but that money is now coming with strings attached from their fiscal controller at NPT Council. However, what the article . . .
Planners refuse Menai Strait wind turbine
A controversial bid to build a 67m-high wind turbine near the Menai Strait in Gwynedd has been refused by councillors. The turbine on a field at Hendy farm, Llanfaglan, near Caernarfon, would have been twice the height of the Eagle Tower in Caernarfon Castle. Members of Gwynedd plan ning committee decided to refuse the application by Awel Menai on the grounds that it would spoil the visual amenity of the area and its proximity to a World Heritage Site. Awel . . .
Giant wind turbines not to be banned from Anglesey beauty spots
Giant wind turbines won’t be banned from beauty spots on Anglesey. Anti-turbine protestors have discovered Anglesey council look set not to impose a blanket ban on turbines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The authority is currently preparing new planning guideline for the renewable energy towers with hopes the regulations could halt the proliferation of applications on the scenic island. But released papers show officers believe there is no evidence to show turbines would have a “significant detrimental” impact within . . .
