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Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
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These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Clean energy faces hard market truths
The Trump administration is rolling back federal subsidies for wind, solar, and EVs. Over $145 billion in green energy projects and $73 billion in manufacturing investments since 2022 were heavily driven by federal aid Despite claims of booming growth, wind and solar face serious structural issues, raising doubts about their viability in a true free-market environment. As soon as the November 2024 election results were in, proponents of the energy transition started warning the end of their industries was nigh. . . . Complete story »
Oxford area citizens band to stop huge Cedar Flats industrial wind power project
Citizens of South-West Oxford and Malahide have grouped together to stop a huge, 200-megawattwind power project proposed by German power developer wpd. They have a new website, Stop Cedar Flats, and have developed a petition which names the risks of the proposed industrial power project and demands that it be halted. The citizens’ group has already hosted three information meetings, including speakers Warren Howard of Wind Concerns Ontario who is also a consultant in municipal affairs, and epidemiologist Joan Morris, . . . Complete story »
Concerns persist over Cowal wind farm plans after public meeting in Gourock
Campaigners opposing plans for a wind farm in Cowal which would be visible from much of the Inverclyde coast say they remain concerned about the proposal – despite the developer agreeing to reduce the number of turbines planned for the site. The Save Cowal’s Hills group (SCH) says the visual impact of wind turbines such as those proposed for the Giant’s Burn site above Dunoon are ‘serious, widespread and unprecedented’. The group is leading opposition to the Giant’s Burn proposals, . . . Complete story »
Brazil’s offshore wind farms could sacrifice small-scale fishing in Ceará
Click here for Portuguese original. A symbol of Brazil’s Ceará state and present on its official coat of arms since 1897, sail rafts known as jangadas are 80% of the fishing vessels in the state, but they could lose ground to wind turbines installed at sea. The matter is relevant because small-scale fishers who use unmotorized sail rafts such as Ceará’s jangadas depend on the strength of the winds to move around in the sea. That could be severely impacted . . . Complete story »
Wexford wind farm given 20-year extension despite noise complaints
Wexford County Council has recently granted a 20-year extension to Castledockrell Wind Farm, including the continued use of 11 existing turbines, despite a neighbouring couple’s objection. Catherine and Philip Hickey have actively campaigned against the development for years, submitting complaints to local authority, engaging with the media, and even speaking at Leinster House. In their letter to the local authority, they detailed that it was not just their family affected, but claim that the entire neighbourhood had been under siege . . . Complete story »
Experts oppose plan to build wind farm in bird sanctuary
Wind turbines and birds in Hokkaido are a contentious mix for academic societies raising issue over the impact that Daigas G&P Solution Co.’s proposed structures may have on wildlife. The Ecological Society of Japan and the Ornithological Society of Japan announced at an April 7 news conference that they submitted a petition requesting that the Osaka-based company and related ministries review and modify plans to construct a wind farm. Daigas’ proposed location spans Hokkaido’s coastal areas of Atsuma and Tomakomai. . . . Complete story »
Civil initiatives to jointly plan strategy for wind farm–free Slovenia
The Association of Civil Initiatives for Wind Farm-free Slovenia, uniting eleven local groups that oppose the planned winds farms in their local environments, held its first public meeting in Zreče on Friday evening. They say that Slovenia is not suitable for wind farms, which would cause more damage than bring benefits. V Zrečah srečanje civilnih iniciativ, ki nasprotujejo vetrnim elektrarnam V Zrečah je v petek zvečer potekalo prvo srečanje Združenja civilnih iniciativ za Slovenijo brez vetrnih elektrarn, v katerega je . . . Complete story »
B.C. wildlife group concerned about risk to rainbow trout from wind farm project
Proposed legislation to exempt wind farm projects from environmental assessments in B.C. is cause for concern, according to a wildlife group. A B.C. wildlife non-profit is concerned new government exemptions on wind projects from environmental review processes could favour speed over the protection of rainbow trout as plans ramp up for a new wind farm in the Interior. B.C. Hydro recently awarded a contract to Westbank First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy for the K2 Wind project in the Pennask . . . Complete story »
Zero challenges three wind farm projects in protected areas
The issue concerns the Arcos de Valdevez Wind Farm, situated near Portugal’s only national park, Peneda-Gerês, along with the Silves Wind Farm and the updates to the Tendais Wind Farm, according to a statement issued by the association. The Arcos de Valdevez Wind Farm—comprising 32 wind turbines and potentially featuring a High Voltage Line (LMAT) crossing sensitive areas—is cited by the association as a significant example of lacking integrated vision and disregard for classified natural values. A public petition opposing . . . Complete story »
Derrybrien wind farm seeks to pack up, leaving 70 turbine foundations behind
The taking down of controversial Derrybrien wind farm comes at the end of more than 20 years of legal wrangling. Its removal from a Co Galway mountain will leave behind more than bad memories, though, as the foundations for its 70 turbines are to remain in the ground. Gort Windfarms, the ESB subsidiary that owns the facility, recently held pre-application consultations with An Bord Pleanála to tease out preliminary issues before lodging a planning application for the required works. It . . . Complete story »
