January 18, 2014
England

Why are ‘hideous’ Spondon wind turbines not even turning yet?

By Derby Telegraph | Posted: January 18, 2014 | www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

Residents in Spondon are angry that two “hideous” wind turbines will not be producing energy until the end of March – despite being installed in December.

Severn Trent Water first said the 130-metre structures would be ready next month but the company now says that timescale has extended to the end of March.

Further work needed to make them fully operational includes installing lifts and motors and carrying out more tests so power can be sent to the National Grid.

Spondon residents said they cannot understand why the structures, on Megaloughton Lane, have not started to operate yet.

Gordon Highman, of Wingerworth Park Road, is a retired senior shift charge engineer, and wants to see them working. He said: “I’m not impressed with the concept of the wind turbines because they will never save costs. They will not solve any energy problems and I am very concerned.

“I also think it’s a long time for people who have to look at them and think, when will they be turning? I think other residents will also be wondering why they’re not doing their job.”

Eighty-year-old Ray Mellor, also of Wingerworth Park Road, has also been surprised at the time being taken to get them working. He said: “The thing is they went up with such phenomenal speed. I can’t see why it has been so prolonged.

“If they are not producing energy yet, then they have no benefit. I’m not very impressed with it and it’s not good enough. I also think they are hideous and spoil our views.”

Lorraine Stevenson, 55, of Main Road, said: “It’s silly the turbines have not started fully yet. I think they should have started by now. I don’t mind them, though, because I don’t think they’re doing any harm.”

Spondon resident Derek Hathaway has previously said he was happy with the turbines.

He said: “We were warned a few years ago and have had different presentations about it. I’m sympathetic to it because Severn Trent have to put turbines somewhere. It’s out of the way and will not be intrusive.”

Renewable energy specialist Jon Beeson, from Severn Trent, said: “Although the wind turbines are in place, there is still a lot to be done before they can start work.

“We’re working inside them to install lifts, motors and carry out further tests so that power can be generated and sent to the national grid.”

When they are in operation, the wind turbines will produce around 10,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/01/18/why-are-hideous-spondon-wind-turbines-not-even-turning-yet/