January 19, 2012
England

Wind farm set to get 17 more turbines

Hull Daily Mail, www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk 19 January 2012

A wind farm outside Goole could house 17 more turbines if plans go ahead.

Energy company RWE Npower Renewables is already building 16 turbines at the Goole Fields site south of Swinefleet village and wants to increase this number to 33.

Each 126.5m turbine would be visible from Goole – but developers say the wind farm will be about 900m from the nearest homes.

Company project manager Chris Gainey said: “Onshore wind farms such as this will play an important role in helping to tackle climate change.

“If granted consent, we would work with the community to tailor a package that meets residents’ needs, such as refurbishing community halls or supporting local activities.”

It is hoped the turbines will generate enough energy to power 20,000 homes.

There has been limited opposition to the proposals so far, but veteran campaigner Howard Ferguson said families might not understand the problem until the turbines are completed.

He said: “Even before the first ones at Goole Fields are up, they are planning more for stage two.

“People haven’t got a clue what they are up against.”

Mr Ferguson, who lives near Kilham, has been fighting against wind farms for five years.

He said: “It’s going to take a long time for the Government to see sense and the public to wake up.

“Everybody living in a town fancies living in a village or in the country.

“But we are going to end up in a situation where you live in a town or next to a wind farm, which won’t quite have the same appeal.”

It has been revealed wind farms are being paid compensation to shut down in heavy winds.

The National Grid cannot cope with the amount of power turbines generate when wind speeds are high.

The Grid paid £25 million to onshore wind farms last year as compensation for shutdowns.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/wind-farm-set-to-get-17-more-turbines/