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Wind Power News: October 2007
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Amherst wind farm construction tentatively scheduled for '08 start
A multimillion-dollar wind farm project in northern Nova Scotia that was put on hold just over a year ago is back on track. Acciona Energy and Wind Dynamics are proposing to construct and operate a 30-megawatt wind power facility on the marsh just west of the Trans-Canada Highway. The project will include 20 turbines that will be 80 metres tall. “We’re pretty far along in terms of development. We got our permit from the county, which is a significant milestone,” . . . Complete story »
Study backs plan for wind farms despite widespread opposition
A report into two proposed wind farms in Yorkshire and Lancashire has deemed the controversial schemes “acceptable” in landscape and visual terms. The proposed schemes for five 410ft high turbines on Todmorden Moor, Calderdale, and three turbines the same height at Reaps Moss, in Rossendale, have brought strong opposition. But a report by a Lancashire County Council’s special landscape advisor said that the proposed wind farm at Todmorden Moor would be “acceptable in landscape and visual terms” and that both . . . Complete story »
Protesters vow: 'We'll stop giant wind farm'
Shocked residents are launching a campaign to stop the building of six giant wind turbines that would overlook Bodmin. Renewable energy company Ecotricity has proposals to erect the 330-feet high structures on land between Trebell Green and Resperry Cross, near Lanivet. People in the area claim the huge turbines would be visible for 40 miles and would dominate the local skyline. They say the turbines would be a blot on the landscape and are about to form an action group . . . Complete story »
Fury as 13 wind turbines approved
Thirteen giant wind turbines will soon be towering over valley homes and the Brecon Beacons National Park.Neath Port Talbot Council has approved controversial plans for a wind farm at Maesgwyn, between Banwen and Glynneath. But afterwards, Blaengwrach councillor Carolyn Edwards criticised the outcome and the way it had been reached – including the fact less than half the planning committee had turned up for a site visit. She also suggested the Neath Valley area, which already hosts vast opencast coal mines, . . . Complete story »
Outcry over another wind farm application
North Devon is under siege – that is the reaction of wind farm opponents near South Molton, to news of a third wind energy proposal for the southern edge of Exmoor. The statement by Two Moors campaigners followed the submission of a planning application for a nine-turbine development to the west of Knowstone, by developers Airtricity. North Devon District Council has already received applications for two turbines at neighbouring Cross Moor, and nine at Batsworthy Cross. Campaign group secretary, Caroline Harvey, . . . Complete story »
£11,000 to fight plans
Campaigners against a wind farm have raised more than £11,000 with an auction of promises. Action group Vortex, which is fighting plans for seven wind turbines on the Staffordshire-Shropshire border, organised the event at Oakley Hall, Mucklestone, near Market Drayton. Around 120 people attended the promises auction, including Bill Cash, MP for Stone, and Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire. The lot which went for the highest bid was a two-week stay in a holiday home in Sri Lanka, which . . . Complete story »
We Energies proposes new wind power farm; $200 million project announced with 3 others under way in state
With construction of three major wind power projects well under way in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties, We Energies announced Tuesday plans for another large wind farm. The Milwaukee-based utility has ordered a $200 million wind project that would generate about 100 megawatts of electricity, We Energies Chairman Gale Klappa said. The project would consist of 50 to 65 turbines, depending on the size and power output of the turbines eventually selected. We Energies requested that FPL Energy of . . . Complete story »
Opponents plan appeal against NZ's biggest wind farm
Groups opposed to plans for the country’s biggest wind farm say they will take their case to the Environment Court. The 176-turbine project near Ranfurly in Central Otago was granted resource consent on Wednesday. After considering public views on the project, a panel of commissioners granted Meridian Energy permission to build on the Lammermoor Range. Meridian says the Hayes wind farm will generate up to 630 megawatts – enough electricity to power all homes in Otago, plus Dunedin and Christchurch. While . . . Complete story »
Wind farm opponents welcome no house decision
Opponents of a proposed wind farm at Smeaton, north of Ballarat, are pleased the local council has rejected plans for a house to be built in the area. Richard Evans says the house was to be located on a significant landscape overlay that is designed to protect the region from development. It is the same area where Wind Power is proposing to build a wind farm. Mr Evans says the rejection of the house plan is a good sign that . . . Complete story »
Hayes wind farm project approved
A wind farm near Ranfurly with 176 turbines has been granted resource consent by the Central Otago District Council. Meridian Energy says the Hayes wind farm will generate up to 630 megawatts – enough electricity to power all homes in Otago, plus Dunedin and Christchurch. Project Hayes is located to the south of Ranfurly on the Lammermoor Range, about 70km northwest of Dunedin. It is named after engineer and inventor Eben Ernest Hayes, one of the first New Zealanders to recognise . . . Complete story »
