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Wind Power News: June 2013
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.
Oregon Supreme Court holds state siting council did not err in not requiring compliance with county zoning ordinance for wind energy facility
Before the Oregon Supreme Court was the appeal of a final order of the Energy Facility Siting Council that approved an amended site certificate for construction of a wind energy facility. Specifically, the issue was whether, in approving the amended site certificate, the council correctly declined to require compliance with a recently adopted county ordinance requiring a two-mile setback between wind turbines and rural residences pursuant to ORS 469.401(2). Upon review, the Supreme Court concluded that the council did not . . . Complete story »
Spain to deal blow to renewables
Spain will announce what the government expects to be its “definitive” energy reform before the end of July in a move likely to slash profitability across the country’s renewable energy sector. Having been a world leader in backing alternative power sources such as solar and wind energy, Spain has been forced to reconsider the generous incentives it offers its heavily-indebted renewables industry. After several delays to its attempt to cut subsidies to the sector, the Spanish government is now planning . . . Complete story »
Outrage over plans to build wind farm on First World War battlefield
Plans to build a wind farm across a First World War battlefield where scores of soldiers from Burton and South Derbyshire died have sparked outrage. Energy firm Innovent has proposed building up to 10 turbines – each reportedly twice the height of Big Ben – near the French town of Loos, in northern France. The town was the scene of major British attacks in September and October 1915 in which about 50,000 British soldiers became casualties and 63 soldiers from . . . Complete story »
Tourism chiefs fight 330ft coast turbines
Tourism chiefs have objected to a €2bn plan for up to 145 wind turbines in Dublin Bay. Wicklow County Tourism made the objection ahead of the project’s public consultation deadline yesterday. The large-scale proposal would see turbines of 330ft in height or taller being built 10km from the coastline. If given the go-ahead, renewable power firm Saorgus Energy Ltd would begin construction at the offshore Kish and Bray Banks within five years. DETRIMENTAL The tourism body is objecting to the . . . Complete story »
Coalition facing back-bench revolt over wind farm subsidies
The coalition is facing a revolt by back-bench Conservative MPs over a surprise rise in consumer subsidies for wind farms. The increase was disclosed last week by the Government as part of a shake-up of the energy market. But it caught opponents of wind farms off-guard because it came just a year after a much-publicised cut in the subsidy of 10 per cent. Backbench Tory MPs had been briefed to expect further reductions this year, but instead wind farm developers . . . Complete story »
Vermont energy plan is wishful thinking
In 2011, the Vermont Department of Public Service issued a Comprehensive Energy Plan that asserts that 90 percent of all energy used in the state — including electricity, transportation and building heating – will be provided from renewable sources by 2050. Who could argue with the idea that almost all of the state’s energy should come from renewable energy by mid-century? Probably nobody, until they realize that what is called a “plan” isn’t an actual one; it’s more a collection of . . . Complete story »
Antrim Wind Energy, town reach agreement, again
Gearing up for a July 10 state Site Evaluation Committee hearing, Antrim Wind Energy and the town’s selectmen reached tax and land conservation agreements Thursday night. “We’re happy to have that behind us again and looking forward to hearing from the SEC on July 10,” said Eolian Renewable Energy CEO Jack Kenworthy. Antrim Wind Energy is a subsidiary of Portsmouth-based Eolian Renewable Energy. In February, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee denied Antrim Wind’s application for the 30-megawatt capacity project, . . . Complete story »
MP poised to profit from turbines as his constituents battle blight
The residents of Kessingland, a village on the Suffolk coast, had wondered why their local MP was not doing more to tackle the blight caused by two towering wind turbines close to their homes. They suspect they now have their answer. Peter Aldous, the Conservative MP who represents them, is expected to profit from another wind turbine being planned on land owned by his family. Villagers, some of whom live just 550 yards from the two 400ft high turbines, claim . . . Complete story »
Wind storm
PIP COURTNEY, PRESENTER: The tiny community of King Island off the north-west tip of Tasmania has voted to push ahead with plans for the country’s biggest ever wind farm. A community ballot has revealed 59 per cent support for Hydro Tasmania to conduct a multimillion-dollar feasibility study into a 200 turbine wind farm. It’s a decision that’s been made against the backdrop of a dwindling population, fewer jobs and closing businesses. The massive wind farm would generate about 2,400 gigawatt . . . Complete story »
Lightning may have damaged turbine
The blades on Scituate’s 400-foot-tall wind turbine have stopped spinning, following a lightning storm that may have damaged some of the electrical equipment inside the structure Monday night. “I’m not 100 percent sure if it was caused by a fluctuation in the grid or if it was a lightning strike, but it’s very possible that it was hit by lightning,” said Sumul Shah, owner and operator of Scituate’s turbine affiliate, Solaya Energy LLC. He said the damage was minor, and . . . Complete story »
