Wind Power News: News
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.
Vestas cuts 2,335 jobs, more at risk in U.S.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS), the world’s biggest wind turbine maker, said it will halt production at one factory and cut 2,335 jobs amounting to 10 percent of its staff as it tries to become more competitive with Chinese suppliers. The changes are aimed at saving more than 150 million euros ($191 million) by the end of 2012, the company based in Aarhus, Denmark, said in a statement today. Vestas said another 1,600 posts in the U.S. are at risk . . .
Wind turbine giant Vestas to cut over 2,300 jobs
COPENHAGEN – The world leader in the wind turbine industry, Danish company Vestas, said on Thursday it would cut 2,335 jobs by the end of the year as part of a previously announced savings package. “Vestas will reduce its fixed costs by more than 150 million euros ($190 million) – with full effect as from the end of 2012 – primarily through streamlining of support functions and closing of factories to align capacity with market demand,” it said in a . . .
Vestas future questioned after revenue forecasts cut twice
Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the biggest wind-turbine maker, fell to its lowest since 2003 in Copenhagen after cutting its sales forecast, prompting analysts to say management’s future and chances to avoid a bid may be in doubt. Reducing its revenue and profit outlook for the second time in two months yesterday was “another blow to investor confidence” in the Aarhus, Denmark-based manufacturer, which already was at an “all-time low,” said Sean McLoughlin, vice president of clean technology research at HSBC . . .
Vestas cuts guidance, blames cost overruns
Danish wind turbine maker Vestas cut its guidance for 2011 earnings and revenue in a surprise trading update on Tuesday, saying costs of developing a new turbine had overshot expectations and some revenue had been delayed. The world’s biggest wind turbine maker, which struggled in 2011 as the global economic crisis dented investment in energy infrastructure, said it would defer some revenue and earnings into 2012 and book higher-than-expected costs. “As a consequence … revenue for 2011 is now expected . . .
Ocean cacophony a torment for sea mammals
Danger can also emerge from more “environmentally friendly” projects, like the building of vast offshore wind farms consisting of ever larger turbines.
A common technique consists of penetrating the seabed with a hydraulic hammer to plant a monopod anchoring the modern-day windmills to the ocean floor.
This so-called pile-driving can emit noise levels up to 250 decibels, which is a deadly dose for nearby marine mammals, though experts say it’s easy to diminish the threat by creating a curtain of air bubbles surrounding the drill site.
National Wind Watch website connectivity issues
National Wind Watch has provided regularly updated, in-depth reportage and analysis of issues surrounding wind energy to a global audience since its founding in 2005. We have recently experienced a number of significant outages which have affected the entire website, sometimes for several hours. We apologize for any frustration this may have caused. NWW is aware of these issues and is working to correct them with our new internet host provider. We anticipate a speedy resolution, but service interruptions may . . .
Renewable energy increases blackout risk-report
Growth in the renewable energy sector in the last decade and a lack of incentives for utilities to invest into new power transmission capabilities mean there is an increased risk of blackouts, a report said on Wednesday. The joint report by German financial and insurance group Allianz and the Chief Risk Officer Forum said the championing of renewables in Europe had come at the price of reliability. Aging power infrastructure means the European Union (EU) will need to make investments . . .
Green energy could trigger ‘catastrophic’ blackouts
In eastern Germany, turbines in strong wind can produce more than all German coal and gas plants put together, while the need to switch off turbines in high winds causes a drop-off in electricity of 12GW – equal to two nuclear power plants. Outages are likely if there is too little demand or storage capacity to accommodate the jumps in supply.
Leading risk analysts modelled a worst-case scenario in which transformers are knocked out in the United States, causing outages to cascade through the grid into Canada, Russia and Scandanavia.
Wind farm plans go on show to West Ashton villagers
Plans to build a wind farm near West Ashton will go on public display this weekend. REG Windpower wants to build three wind turbines at Grange Farm in Bratton Road and is keen to get residents’ approval during exhibitions in West Ashton and Bratton. Representatives from the company, which operates 11 UK wind farms, will be at West Ashton Village Hall today (Friday) between 2pm and 8pm, and at the Church Institute Hall, Tynings Lane, Bratton, tomorrow (Saturday), from 9am . . .
Windmill lawsuit dismissed
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that had asked for a permanent injunction against the controversial wind farm in the town of Allegany. The decision, issued by Supreme Court Justice Michael Nenno, was received Thursday by attorneys for Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County (CCCC) and Kathy Boser, who had filed the lawsuit. Concerned Citizens had filed the lawsuit against town of Allegany governing boards and its officials, as well as EverPower Wind Holdings, LLC. A court hearing on the lawsuit . . .
