June 8, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Another energy company is targeting Tynedale as a location for a windfarm.
Cornwall-based Nuon UK Ltd has submitted a planning application to install a temporary meteorological mast on land north of Tone Hall, at Birtley, in the North Tyne.
The site is very close to the location of three other proposed windfarms.
The mast, which would stand 60-metres high and be in place for 30 months, would act as a weather station collecting data to establish if the location is suitable for a renewable energy development.
The mast, a base plate, anchor points and guy wires would take up no more ground space than six metres square.
But Nuon UK Ltd, whose parent company is a leading Dutch utility firm based in Amsterdam, is keen to point out that it is simply investigating the potential of the site.
Nuon UK Ltd’s project manager Chris Ranner confirmed: “We are seeking permission to install a temporary meteorological mast at the Tone Hall site in Birtley.
“It is a temporary application which will allow us to investigate the climate and determine whether enough energy can be generated for us to consider a project at some point in the future.
“The data we collect may tell us that the site is not suitable and I would estimate that only 10 per cent of sites actually go forward to be developed.
“Before any potential development went ahead, there would be a whole host of consultations with interested parties and in particular a full consultation with the public.”
The application is due before Tynedale Council’s planners on June 20.
By Gemma Somerville
8 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/08/new-windfarm-bid/