Wind Power News: Europe
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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.
Windfarm concerns prompt council vote
Donegal County Councillors have today voted to seek changes to wind energy policies in a proposed variation to the County Development Plan. An in-depth discussion took place on the issue at today’s county council meeting. The proposed variation by the Planning Authority deals with a wind energy policy framework on the sustainable development of Donegal’s wind energy resource. The wording of the variation was rejected by a vote of 24 Councillors in favour of amending and 8 against. Sinn Féin . . . Complete story »
Wind farm planning appeal to be lodged before Christmas
Viking Energy’s appeal against a decision by councillors to reject a proposal to move the location of two concrete batching plants is set to be lodged in the coming weeks. The decision, made by Shetland Islands Council’s planning committee in September, went against the recommendation of officers. A Viking Energy Wind Farm (VEWF) spokesperson said on Monday: “I can confirm that the recent batching plant decisions will be appealed. “The relevant submissions are being finalised by VEWF’s legal advisors and . . . Complete story »
Fire fears over huge battery storage plants for wind farm
A wind farm developer is hoping to build a massive battery plant south of Norwich to ensure there is enough energy when the wind stops blowing. But the plans, at the three-hectare site between Swardeston and the A47, have sparked concerns about fire safety from experts and local councils. Hundreds of lithium-ion batteries will be placed in containers around two buildings up to 15 metres high. It will mean that energy generated by Ørsted’s new offshore wind farm, called Hornsea . . . Complete story »
How Greece loses its natural heritage
Since 2012, Greek authorities have failed to reach a significant goal as a member of the European Union. They have continued to ignore EU standards and requirements for natural resources and biodiversity preservation. Even though climate change is knocking at the door and gaining the world’s attention, Greece even now chooses the path of harming and disturbing its national natural treasures. New environmental legislation is exacerbating the failure of the Greek state by triggering a series of dangers and possible . . . Complete story »
Greystone Knowe: 14-turbine Borders wind farm plans filed
Plans or a 14-turbine wind farm in the Borders have been filed with the council. The Greystone Knowe development – around 2.5 km west of Fountainhall – is a joint venture between ESB and Coriolis Energy, according to papers submitted as part of the application. Scotland’s current climate change ambitions has been given as a reason for the proposed turbines, which would have a maximum tip height of 180m. Documents submitted to the council state: “The UK and Scotland’s current . . . Complete story »
Whitelaw Brae: Wind farm extension backed by government
A five-year extension to a Tweeddale wind farm has been given the green light by the Scottish Government. In 2017, the 14-turbine Whitelaw Brae development in the Tweedsmuir hills was granted an operational life of 25 years, despite concerns over its visual impact. And now the turbines – which stand at a maximum height of 133m – will be in use for an extra five years. The Scottish Government said that the extension would support its climate targets. Scottish Borders . . . Complete story »
Path clear for construction to start on Strathy South Wind Farm after Ministers give go-ahead to taller turbines
A bid by power company SSE Renewables to increase by 65m the height of turbines on its planned Strathy South wind farm has succeeded. Scottish Ministers have agreed to grant a variation to the existing planning consent, allowing the height to be raised from the initial proposed 135m to 200m, which will make the turbines the tallest in the area. SSE Renewables has welcomed the decision, with project manager Jon Soal saying it reflected the “incredible levels of support” for . . . Complete story »
Swiss wind park ordered to scale back to protect birds
A new wind park in Switzerland must scale back its plans to deliver renewable energy in order to protect vulnerable bird species, the country’s supreme court ruled on Wednesday. Plans for the new wind park, in the Grenchenberg region in the Jura mountains, had sparked opposition from ornithologists and conservationists, who argued it would interfere with local populations of woodlarks and peregrine falcons, deemed vulnerable in Switzerland. The wind park had aimed to deliver 16 megawatts of energy by 2023 . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plans compared to flooding of Capel Celyn
Plans for a solar wind farm in west Wales has been compared to the flooding of Capel Celyn. Cllr Gareth Thomas said the 65-hectare renewable energy project proposed at Llanedi, in the east of Carmarthenshire, was “the same kind of concept” as that of the Tryweryn Valley in the 1960s. The Tryweryn Valley near Bala, which included the village of Capel Celyn, was flooded in 1965 to create a new reservoir for the English city to the north east. Cllr . . . Complete story »
Tweedsmuir hills wind farm allowed extra time
A bid to extend the operational life of a wind farm in the Tweedsmuir hills has been approved by the Scottish government. It will allow the 14-turbine Whitelaw Brae development in the Borders to run for 30 years instead of the previously consented 25. Mountaineering Scotland (MS) criticised the original approval in 2017 as ignoring the impact on tourism in the area. The Scottish government said allowing the extension would help meet its renewable energy targets and raised no significant . . . Complete story »
