March 7, 2013
England

Exhibitions start over controversial wind power plans

Skegness Standard | 7 March 2013 | www.skegnessstandard.co.uk

A renewable energy firm’s proposals to transfer offshore wind power to the National Grid, involving several contentious local developments, will be on display at a series of public exhibitions this week.

RWE npower renewables is hosting six days of consultation events, including several locally, to outline the onshore electrical infrastructure plans associated with its Triton Knoll offshore wind farm.

Project manager Jacob Hain said: “The aim of holding six exhibitions in five different locations is to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to meet the team behind the project and help them understand what we are proposing and the benefits it can provide to the economy, the environment and local communities,”

“The responses and feedback we receive from local residents and businesses are essential as they will help us to choose the final zones for the electrical infrastructure. We want the community to share in the benefits of wind energy and would urge as many people as possible to come along and find out more.”

The shortlisted options propose that the offshore cables join land at Anderby Creek before travelling along a 60 metre wide cable route, situated within one of three, kilometre-wide ‘cable corridors’ towards a substation-like ‘intermediate compound’ to be built at one of three sites around Skegness and Orby.

After investigating the various power options, RWE claims the compound, which would be three hectares large and up to 15 metres tall, is necessary to transmit electricity onwards to a substation in Bicker Fen. However, opponents to the proposals maintain that the compound, will industrialise a rural area.

Lincolnshire County Council has also expressed ‘grave concerns’ with the consultation, which it claims is merely an ‘information gathering exercise’.

Ingoldmells ward holder Coun Colin Davie said: “This supposed consultation exercise it nothing of the sort, it is a disgraceful sham and a total deceit on RWE’s part as they attempt to rig the exercise in their favour.”

Events will be held between 3pm and 7pm at Anderby Village Hall on Thursday, Stickney Community Hall on Saturday and at the Royal Hotel, Skegness, on Sunday and again on Monday from noon to 6pm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/07/exhibitions-start-over-controversial-wind-power-plans/