July 16, 2014
England

Derby’s idle wind turbines ‘a waste and a flop’

By Isaac Crowson | Derby Telegraph | July 15, 2014 | www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

Residents in Spondon are ”appalled” because two controversial wind turbines are still not producing energy regularly.

The 130-metre structures, in Megaloughton Lane, are not working because of issues with the radar system at East Midlands Airport.

The turbines, which were installed in December, are located in a “sensitive area”, according to the airport, and when switched on, appear as an unidentified object on the air traffic control display.

Ray Mellor, of Wingerworth Park Road, said: “It seems incredible that with modern technology they are still not working. I’m appalled at the situation and the lack of communication to ensure this would not happen.

“It’s an incredible waste of money and an economical disaster. There does seem to be a lack of professionalism here. I doubt if they will ever work.”

The turbines will produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity – the equivalent of supplying about 3,000 homes with power.

The airport and Severn Trent are working together on installing new technology to solve the problem.

Gordon Highman, a retired senior shift charge engineer, also of Wingerworth Park Road, is unhappy at the lack of action. He said: “What a waste of money this is. It seems a little bit weird they are not working yet.

“It’s ridiculous it is taking this long. I have now got used to seeing them but I still think they are a waste.

“They will not be saving me any money on my Severn Trent bill. It is something that is a flop until they start generating because they are idle all of the time.”

Spondon ward councillor Evonne Williams said: “I do not want this to be rushed and there is no time scale on how long it will take.

“I would like it to be quick but not at the risk of health and safety.”

Severn Trent’s renewable energy manager, Martin Dent, said: “While the turbines have completed some of their commissioning tests, we continue to work on the development and installation of new radar equipment at East Midlands Airport. The equipment is needed to make sure that the airport can operate safely when the wind turbines are in use and we will give it the time it needs to get it right.”

A spokesman for the airport confirmed it was working on the issue with Severn Trent.

Other work that needed to take place to make the turbines operational included installing lifts and motors and carrying out more tests so power could be sent to the National Grid.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/16/derbys-idle-wind-turbines-a-waste-and-a-flop/