December 29, 2011
Wales

Turbine might tower over Swansea Bay

This is South Wales, www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 29 December 2011

Swansea Bay could be home to a new wind turbine which will almost match the height of the city’s Meridian Tower.

Welsh Water has submitted plans for a 104-metre structure to generate electricity and help it meet green energy targets.

If approved by Swansea Council the turbine will be built on land at Welsh Water’s wastewater treatment works off Fabian Way.

Disruption

Philippa Watkins, secretary of the Swansea Civic Society, said it had not looked in detail at the plans but reckoned the turbine would not cause too much disruption.

“I don’t think we would have any major objections,” she said.

Jackie Ryan, of Baldwin’s Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows, said she felt the impact on the local community would be limited.

“In general I think wind turbines are a good thing, but I know there are many people who would disagree with me,” she said.

A 43-metre wind turbine, operated by Swansea Bay Energy Partnership, has been spinning at nearby Swansea docks for the last five years.

If built, Welsh Water’s turbine will dwarf this structure and only be three metres shy of the 29-storey Meridian Tower, at Swansea Marina.

Documents supporting the planning application on the council’s website are limited, said Welsh Water, because of the “scale, complexity and potential for numerous amendments/alterations to the proposed development”.

A Welsh Water spokesman said the turbine would generate around half of the energy needed to power the treatment works.

He said: “All necessary assessments have been carried out into the suitability of the site and these will be available for public inspection.”

Onshore wind turbines are generally confined to seven specific areas in Wales, but Welsh Government planning policy encourages them in industrial brownfield sites as long as appropriate assessments are carried out.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/29/turbine-might-tower-over-swansea-bay/