July 24, 2008
England
England
Plans for gigantic wind turbines have been revealed for Calderdale – more than 100ft taller than Wainhouse Tower.
The 10 super turbines will be more than 370ft high (around 115 metres) and twice the size of the current machines on Ovenden Moor.
There are 23 turbines at 160ft high (48 metres), on the moors above Wainstalls, Halifax, and they can be seen from all over the town. Wain-house Tower stands at 253ft (77 metres).
Owners E.On Uk says the changes would double the amount of power the company is able to generate from the site.
The Ovenden Moor turbines were switched on in June 1993 and, when turning at full tilt, can produce enough power to meet the needs of about 7,500 homes.
But generation only begins when the wind speed gets to 11 miles an hour and they are shut down for safety reasons when it exceeds 56mph.
“The repowering plan would reduce the number of turbines on Ovenden Moor from 23 to 10, but instead of standing 49 metres to the tip, each would be up to 115 metres tall,” according to E.On spokesman Jonathan Smith.
“These 10 turbines would double the output of the windfarm from 9.2 megawatts to 20, doubling the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, and extending the life of the windfarm for another 20 years.
“We are hoping to submit a planning application to Calderdale Council this autumn.”
The new turbines at Ovenden Moor could be slightly bigger than the 30 built by E.On in 2004 offshore at Scroby Sands, near Great Yarmouth.
The company also operates giant turbines in Durham and Cambridgeshire.
They are 300ft tall and can together provide enough electricity to power 40,000 homes.
But Kim Wynn, who lives in Wainstalls, said: “The fact that they’re going to be higher means people who don’t see them now will do.”
Neighbour David Grayson said: “If you stand on Ovenden Moor you can see Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. The opposite applies, so people there may be affected.
“It’s not just Wainstalls, it’s not just Calderdale, it’s a big section of Yorkshire,” he said.
A date has been announced for a public inquiry into proposals for five turbines on Todmorden Moor, which would also be more than 300ft tall. It will be on February 17 at Rochdale Rugby Union Club.
By Michael Peel
24 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/24/the-land-of-the-giants-wind-turbines-will-be-120ft-taller-than-wainhouse-tower/