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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Group granted leave to legally challenge approval of Donegal wind farm
The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted leave to legally challenge An Bord Pleanála’s approval of a large wind farm at Meenbog in Donegal. Mr Justice David Barniville said in the High Court Wednesday that on October 25 he would consider setting a date for a judicial review and directed that all parties have relevant documentation lodged in court by October 19, The Irish Times reported. Barrister David Browne, who appeared with Fred Logue of FP Logue Solicitors for . . . Complete story »
Crofting Commission rules out townships’ wind aspirations
Crofters in Lewis have had development applications for wind farms on their common grazings rejected this week by the Crofting Commission. The news was revealed in a statement by the Stornoway Trust, who welcomed the long awaited decision from the Crofting Commission, not to consent the Section 50B application submitted by the Grazing Committees of Melbost and Branahuie, Sandwick East Street, and Sandwick North Street. In the judgment issued to each applicant, who had sought consent to establish wind turbines . . . Complete story »
Germany’s renewable energy dreams derailed by cheap Russian gas, electricity grid expansion woes
On a blazing hot August day on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, a few hundred tourists skip the beach to visit the “Fascination Offshore Wind” exhibition, held in the port of Mukran at the Arkona wind park. They stand facing the sea, gawking at white fiberglass blades, which at 250 feet are longer than the wingspan of a 747 aircraft. Those blades, they’re told, will soon be spinning atop 60 wind-turbine towers bolted to concrete pilings driven deep into the seabed . . . Complete story »
Local businesses object to proposed wind farm
Local businesses at Dobele, one of the possible locations of a proposed €250 million wind farm by Swedish subsidiary Eolus, object to having wind turbines in their vicinity and have started collecting signatures to prevent construction, reported LTV September 17. As reported, Eolus want to set up a total of 51 turbines in central/western Latvia, of which 23 would be located in Dobele municipality. Eolus say the wind farm would produce about 10% of Latvia’s annual energy consumption. Company head . . . Complete story »
Caithness villagers say no to ‘circle of steel’ wind farms
Protesters from the far north coast of Scotland have travelled to Edinburgh to deliver a petition against plans to build two giant wind farms in a region known for its dramatic scenery. Locals fear the schemes, which between them will consist of almost 40 turbines standing up to 140m tall, will have a “devastating” impact on the picturesque village of Reay and the surrounding countryside in Caithness. There are also concerns over the potential threat to important native wildlife, including . . . Complete story »
82 objections lodged against plans for new wind turbines on outskirts of Derry
An application for two new wind turbines on the outskirts of Derry has been refused over concerns that the local area is shouldering the ‘bulk’ of responsibility in terms of renewable energy. The application was for the construction of two turbines at the existing Monnaboy Wind farm, which currently contains four wind turbines after planning permission was granted on October 4, 2012. The location of Monnaboy Wind Farm is on land located east of 62 Monnaboy Road in Greysteel and . . . Complete story »
‘Overwhelming’ Eskdale valley turbine appeal planned
An appeal is to be lodged against the refusal of a wind farm described as “overly prominent and overwhelming” by planning officials. Dumfries and Galloway Council rejected the 12-turbine Hopsrig project near Langholm. Buccleuch Energy director Alan Wilson said that decision was “disappointing” and the company hoped to address concerns in the appeal process. The appeal will be lodged in the coming months. Buccleuch has teamed up with wind farm developer Muirhall Energy to take the scheme forward. Mr Wilson . . . Complete story »
Plans for wind turbine near Pen-y-Fan Country Park in Caerphilly rejected over visual impact concerns
Plans to site a wind turbine near the Pen-y-Fan Country Park in Caerphilly have been thrown out over concerns about its visual impact. Councillors rejected the advice of planning officers who had recommended to approve an application for a 93-metre high turbine at Durisol’s base at the Pen-y-Fan industrial estate near Crumlin. The plans were discussed under reasons for refusal at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, where councillors rejected the application over concerns about its visual impact and the . . . Complete story »
MP rebukes planners and ministers over unpopular windfarm substation proposal
Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman has ripped into the planning system and knocked government ministers out of frustration over proposals to site a windfarm substation in his constituency. Mr Freeman has penned a strongly-worded letter to the Planning Inspectorate over the scheme, which would see the future Norfolk Vanguard offshore windfarm linked in to the National Grid via a substation on a hill at Necton. Mr Freeman labelled the plans for the wind farm by Swedish power giant Vattenfall: “an . . . Complete story »
German farmer triumphs over state in wind turbine row
Erecting a few wind turbines on privatized, once communist farmland doesn’t entitle Germany to claw back potentially lucrative power earnings, a top appeal court has ruled. It’s voided part of a 2005 land sales contract. The Federal Court of Justice’s (BGH) civil chamber ruled Friday in favor of a farm owner in eastern Mecklenburg-West Pomerania state who was facing hefty surcharges or even worse over his plan to have three turbines erected by an operating firm. The farm owner’s adversary . . . Complete story »
