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.
Glenkens community councillors want meeting with developers of king-size windfarm
Developers proposing a king-size windfarm in the Glenkens are being invited to a public meeting in New Galloway. The Royal Burgh of New Galloway and Kells Parish Community Council want Torrs Hill Wind Farm Ltd to justify their scheme. The company is bidding to erect 12 turbines next to the scenic Rhinns of Kells. Some machines would be almost 100 metres taller than Blackpool Tower, community councillors heard on Monday. Chairman Craig Millar told the town hall meeting: “We want . . . Complete story »
Plan for wind farm above Loch Fyne and Strachur
Plans for a major new wind farm above Loch Fyne will be discussed next week, though councillors will be warned not to say if they’re in favour. It is estimated that the Creag Dhubh project above Strachur could produce generate 27MW – enough power for over 16,000 households. An exhibition of the proposals for local residents was first held in October 2017 and initially a planning application was expected by the following autumn. But next week Argyll and Bute Council’s . . . Complete story »
Wind farm developers ‘playing the system’ – Mountaineering Scotland challenge SNH to stand up for landscape
Mountaineering Scotland has challenged Scottish Natural Heritage to stand up and protect valuable landscape from wind farm developers accused of “playing the system”. The organisation, which represents mountaineers and hillwalkers in Scotland, has objected to two wind farm proposals in the hills south-west of Garve. There are already consented developments at Lochluichart and Corriemoille but the developers are now trying to add more turbines. The two wind farms were given planning consent in 2008 and 2011. However the consent was . . . Complete story »
Mountaineering Scotland challenges Scottish Natural Heritage on wind farms
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) must “stand up and protect” the land from wind farm developers who “exploit” the planning system, an outdoors body claims. Mountaineering Scotland says SNH, a Scottish Government agency, should play a stronger role in determining whether or not turbines should be built in beauty spots. Currently, the organisation provides advice to planners asked to rubber stamp new developments or grant extensions to existing projects. But Mountaineering Scotland, which represents hillwalkers, says it should instead take up . . . Complete story »
Councillors poised to block Ellon turbine plan
A lack of evidence showing MoD and air traffic control radar mitigation could see the rejection of a proposed wind turbine near Ellon. Councillors agreed a delegated grant for the turbine at Cardinghill – which would measure just under 100m to wing tip – in November last year. But it was subject to applicants Cardinghill Renewables Ltd providing a detailed assessment of the proposed mitigation measures for consultation with the MoD and the removal of its objection within a six-month . . . Complete story »
Wind campaigner warns of landscapes ‘littered with industrial hardware’
Scotland is in danger of losing its “stunning landscapes” unless there is a halt to the number of wind turbines being built, a Highland campaigner has warned. Lyndsey Ward fears that the growing number of turbines and their associated pylon lines, grid connections and substations will result in the country’s finest landscapes being “littered with industrial hardware”. She wants the Scottish Government to take action to prevent that happening – and is concerned about the size of the wind turbines . . . Complete story »
North of Scotland ‘must’ continue to grow onshore wind, First Minister says
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to continue the growth of onshore wind power – while ruling out a public veto for such projects. Speaking at the All Energy conference in Glasgow yesterday, Ms Sturgeon described the Conservative public veto policy in England as “short-sighted” and said the situation should not be viewed as “developers versus communities”. But anti-wind farm campaigner Lyndsey Ward said her position was “unforgivable” and accused the FM of “bulldozing local democracy”. The first minister was . . . Complete story »
‘Ring of steel’ wind farm at Carsphairn refused
A wind farm which Mountaineering Scotland claimed would form a “ring of steel” around a Galloway hill has been rejected. Dumfries and Galloway Council refused the 10-turbine project in August 2017. Developers then appealed to the Scottish government over the Longburn scheme near Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. A reporter has now concluded that while it would have economic benefits they did not outweigh the adverse effect on the landscape. Mountaineering Scotland – formerly known as the Mountaineering Council of Scotland – . . . Complete story »
Norway marches against building wind turbines in untouched natural areas
One of Norway’s biggest civil society organization, Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT) arranges support march all over Norway. The goal is to prevent the construction of wind turbines in protected natural areas. Last month, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) presented the draft national framework for wind power to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. The framework has chosen 13 areas in Norway as suitable places to build hundreds of wind turbines. The areas in the proposal include protected natural . . . Complete story »
Proposed Saaremaa wind turbine blocked
The municipal government on the island of Saaremaa has blocked the building of a wind turbine, BNS reports. A company called OÜ Energialevi had planned to erect a 142.5 meter-high turbing at Uudibe, near the village of Salme, but was turned down by local authorites, according to regional daily Saarte Hääl. The reason given was planning issues related to the region’s land use, as well as opposition from local residents, and the environment board, it is reported. “It’s fine for . . . Complete story »
