Wind Power News: Scotland
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.
RSPB ‘seriously alarmed’ by Eisgein wind farm plan
RSPB Scotland has reacted with alarm to proposals by wind farm developer Uisinis Power that could lead to the erection of an extra 30 wind turbines on the Eisgein estate on the Isle of Lewis. RSPB spokesman Stuart Benn said: “We are seriously alarmed. This could have a devastating impact on what is one of Europe’s best sites for golden eagles. “Although not yet built, consent has already been granted for 39 wind turbines which we strongly opposed. This extension . . .
Lewis wind farm plans threaten golden eagles, RSPB says
RSPB Scotland has voiced “serious alarm” at moves to expand a proposed 39-turbine wind farm on Lewis. The charity has always opposed the Eisgein Estate project due to concerns that the turbines may harm golden eagles and sea eagles. The area has one of the highest densities of golden eagles in Europe. Planning consent has already been granted for 39 turbines on the site, and there are now plans to seek permission for up to 30 more machines. International Power . . .
Plans for new giant £180 million windfarm
Plans are being drawn up to build a second giant windfarm at Eishken on Lewis. Uisenis Power, which is owned by Nicholas Oppenheim proposes to erect 30 huge turbines next to the 39 machines due to be built on his private Eishken estate in South Lochs, Lewis next year. Mr Oppenheim has lodged a scoping opinion request – the first formal part of a planning application – to build the new windfarm. Mr Oppenheim said things are at a very . . .
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 . . .
Windfarm plea to new council administration
Hopes are high that Fife Council’s new Labour administration will pay heed to mounting opposition to windfarms across Fife. Anti-windfarm group EFTAG (East Fife Turbine Awareness group) and other more localised groups said they welcomed Labour party comments on renewable energy in its manifesto and are hopeful the party — which has now formed a minority administration with the backing of the Tories — will act on its pledges. SPECULATIVE A spokeman for EFTAG said: “Every elected member is aware . . .
Windfarms under fire; MoD refuses to back down over Buchan plans
Military chiefs are refusing to back down in their battle against wind turbines in Buchan — claiming they could pose a threat to national security. The Ministry of Defence has objected to 30 projects which it claims could cause havoc with radar equipment at RAF Buchan, south of Peterhead. These range from one-turbine schemes to a plan for 12 masts at Mormond Hill, near Strichen. It has also submitted a formal objection against the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, an . . .
Firm behind offshore windfarm plans holds week of public exhibitions
Plans for the first phase of what would be Scotland’s biggest renewable energy project went on display this week. Seagreen Wind Energy showcased proposals that would see an initial 150 turbines constructed 17 miles off the Angus coast. The plans were on display in Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee and Tealing over the course of the week, with representatives of the company, a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy and American engineering firm Fluor, meeting the public to discuss the . . .
Ard Ghaoth windfarm on hold
Plans for a controversial windfarm near Drymen are being put on hold. But developers insist the move does not mean they are pulling out of the project. Banks Renewables told the Observer proposals to submit a planning application for its Ard Ghaoth windfarm are being delayed after tests have shown unexpected results. The company has outlined plans for 10 turbines at the site, which would generate up to 20MW, enough to meet the annual electricity requirements of 11,100 homes. However, . . .
Wind turbines: Do they increase carbon emissions?
My name is George Wood, formerly a National Grid Power Systems Operations Engineer at both Regional and National Control Centres and latterly the person who developed the contractual and testing parameters of generation operations on the National Grid Network for Ancillary Services which included load management operation specifications for frequency response and reserve strategies. These strategies were carried over to the existing NETA balancing services. I do believe that K Le Pair’s research and others have some merit in being . . .
‘Robust’ turbines plans
Aberdeenshire Council’s new leader has vowed to push for “robust” guidelines to deal with the influx of wind turbines being built in the north-east. Conservative Jim Gifford wants to see tougher guidelines introduced to help councillors judge the cumulative effect of the turbines, which are now a dominant feature on the landscape. The local authority has received more than 800 applications for turbines in the last 15 months, with about 40 coming forward each month. This has prompted councillors to . . .
