December 21, 2014
England

Spondon turbines have still not produced power

Derby Telegraph | December 20, 2014 | www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

Severn Trent has come under fire because two controversial wind turbines in Spondon are still not operational despite being erected a year ago.

Documents seen by the Derby Telegraph state the two structures in Megaloughton Lane should be operational this month.

They were installed in December last year but are located in a “sensitive area”, which means when they are switched on they appear as unidentified objects on the air traffic control display at East Midlands Airport.

Spondon councillor Chris Poulter said he wanted to see the turbines working “sooner rather than later”.

He said: “We’ve had no updates from Severn Trent about what is happening with them. From what we’ve been told by the company, they are very keen to get them working and up and running.”

Ray Mellor, of Wingerworth Park Road, said he was not surprised they were still not working full-time.

He said: “It’s the same old question: What is going on? I’m just used to them not working now.

“I don’t understand why they are not operational and I find it inexplicable. They have put in all of that time, effort and money and nobody is benefiting from them.

“I really would like to think it doesn’t bother wildlife and people in the area.”

Spondon resident Dave Borrington said the turbines are a “blot on the landscape”.

He said: “I think people in Spondon have got used to seeing them, but they want to see them working. I try to think about them as little as possible.

“There is still a lot of bad feeling towards them and I really feel sorry for the people who live near them.”

Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham has previously said she was disappointed at the company and felt it had “let people down”.

She also said she “expected more from them”.

The turbines are expected to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity a year – the equivalent of supplying about 3,000 homes with power.

Moves to build the turbines began in 2007 and planning permission was granted in 2012.

But building them was not a straightforward process and lifts and motors needed to be installed before power could be sent to the National Grid.

Among local residents’ main concerns was the prospect of noise, but these fears have been largely allayed during testing, although Severn Trent said it would be monitoring the situation.

A spokesman for Severn Trent was not available for comment.

In a previous statement, the company has said: “Bringing these turbines to life will generate renewable energy for the next 25 years. We’ll take the time needed to get them working safely.”

A spokesman for East Midlands Airport was not available for comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/21/spondon-turbines-have-still-not-produced-power/