Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy 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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Fire fears over huge battery storage plants for wind farm
A wind farm developer is hoping to build a massive battery plant south of Norwich to ensure there is enough energy when the wind stops blowing. But the plans, at the three-hectare site between Swardeston and the A47, have sparked concerns about fire safety from experts and local councils. Hundreds of lithium-ion batteries will be placed in containers around two buildings up to 15 metres high. It will mean that energy generated by Ørsted’s new offshore wind farm, called Hornsea . . . Complete story »
Golden Plains Wind Farm: Project receives planning permit amendment approval
The final obstacles for the largest renewable energy project in the region, and one of the biggest in Australia, are slipping away as the state Planning Minister gives his tick of approval. The 215-turbine Golden Plains Wind Farm, to be built at Rokewood, has been bogged down in years of legal battles but has finally been given the green light by Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne approving a planning amendment. The dispute centred around the initial planned layout for 228 . . . Complete story »
How Greece loses its natural heritage
Since 2012, Greek authorities have failed to reach a significant goal as a member of the European Union. They have continued to ignore EU standards and requirements for natural resources and biodiversity preservation. Even though climate change is knocking at the door and gaining the world’s attention, Greece even now chooses the path of harming and disturbing its national natural treasures. New environmental legislation is exacerbating the failure of the Greek state by triggering a series of dangers and possible . . . Complete story »
With federal approval of South Fork wind farm, construction could begin early next year
While federal approval was never really in doubt, the proposal faced a rockier path when it came before Rhode Island coastal regulators. The state Coastal Resources Management Council awarded what’s known as a federal consistency certification in June, but the decision came over the objections of fishermen who complained that the wind farm would interfere with their livelihoods. Certification that the wind farm is consistent with state coastal policies also came despite concerns raised by Save The Bay and others about the council’s permitting process for the wind farm, which would be built in an area called Cox Ledge in Rhode Island Sound that is home to a rich diversity of fish, including species of tuna and Atlantic cod. Complete story »
Greystone Knowe: 14-turbine Borders wind farm plans filed
Plans or a 14-turbine wind farm in the Borders have been filed with the council. The Greystone Knowe development – around 2.5 km west of Fountainhall – is a joint venture between ESB and Coriolis Energy, according to papers submitted as part of the application. Scotland’s current climate change ambitions has been given as a reason for the proposed turbines, which would have a maximum tip height of 180m. Documents submitted to the council state: “The UK and Scotland’s current . . . Complete story »
State to host biggest wind farm in southern hemisphere as turbines win final approval
Construction on the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere will start in Victoria next year after the state’s Planning Minister gave the final tick of approval to the $2 billion facility. It will have almost twice as many turbines and be roughly double the megawatt capacity of the wind farm at Coopers Gap in Queensland, which is presently the biggest in Australia. It comes after years of legal challenges by local farmers and wrangling over the size of the . . . Complete story »
Whitelaw Brae: Wind farm extension backed by government
A five-year extension to a Tweeddale wind farm has been given the green light by the Scottish Government. In 2017, the 14-turbine Whitelaw Brae development in the Tweedsmuir hills was granted an operational life of 25 years, despite concerns over its visual impact. And now the turbines – which stand at a maximum height of 133m – will be in use for an extra five years. The Scottish Government said that the extension would support its climate targets. Scottish Borders . . . Complete story »
Path clear for construction to start on Strathy South Wind Farm after Ministers give go-ahead to taller turbines
A bid by power company SSE Renewables to increase by 65m the height of turbines on its planned Strathy South wind farm has succeeded. Scottish Ministers have agreed to grant a variation to the existing planning consent, allowing the height to be raised from the initial proposed 135m to 200m, which will make the turbines the tallest in the area. SSE Renewables has welcomed the decision, with project manager Jon Soal saying it reflected the “incredible levels of support” for . . . Complete story »
RFP to go out next month for turbines’ removal in Falmouth
The Town of Falmouth plans on issuing requests for proposals by mid- to late December to have the two wind turbines at the wastewater treatment plant dismantled. The news of momentum in removing the turbines came during the Monday night, November 22, select board meeting, when Finance Director Jennifer Mullen and special counsel Christopher Morog presented an update to board members. The procurement process has been slowed by lack of precedence, Mr. Morog said. There is not a provision in . . . Complete story »
Swiss wind park ordered to scale back to protect birds
A new wind park in Switzerland must scale back its plans to deliver renewable energy in order to protect vulnerable bird species, the country’s supreme court ruled on Wednesday. Plans for the new wind park, in the Grenchenberg region in the Jura mountains, had sparked opposition from ornithologists and conservationists, who argued it would interfere with local populations of woodlarks and peregrine falcons, deemed vulnerable in Switzerland. The wind park had aimed to deliver 16 megawatts of energy by 2023 . . . Complete story »
