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.
Councillor calls for plan to fix broken wind turbine – four months after “catastrophic failure” left blade hanging
A Barnsley councillor has called for a broken wind turbine to be fixed – four months after a blade was left hanging from a buckled turbine tower. Residents reported hearing a loud bang on March 12, as debris was flung from the blade at Park Spring Wind Farm, on to a public footpath which is popular with dog walkers. Although there were no injuries, debris was left scattered across the path and surrounding area, which remains closed. Darfield Councillor Kevin . . . Complete story »
Bryn wind farm: Calls to withdraw 250m-high turbines plan
Opponents to a proposed wind farm in south Wales have urged the Welsh government to dismiss the plans. If approved, Y Bryn Onshore Wind Farm in Neath Port Talbot would be the largest onshore wind farm in the UK. Residents are opposed to the planned size of the 26 turbines – 250m high – and the potential risks they pose to wildlife, property values, as well as people’s physical health and mental wellbeing. The company behind the proposal, Coriolis, said . . . Complete story »
Planning application for windfarm lodged on 700-hectare forestry site
Plans to create a windfarm in Lockerbie have been lodged with council chiefs. German renewables firm Energiekontor want to build the turbine site at Little Hartfell, Corrie Common. The application is noted as being: “likely to have significant effects on the environment”. The firm wants to erect nine of the windmill structures, up to 190 metres in height. They also hope to include access tracks, storage, a temporary construction compound, sub-station and associated infrastructure. Leeds-based applicant Duncan Taylor has submitted . . . Complete story »
The strange case of the climate scientists fighting a wind farm
On the edge of the Aegean Sea lies Antikythera, a bone-dry, windswept rock of 8.5 square miles (22 square kilometers) and 22 inhabitants. Despite appearances, this unforgiving land holds immense ecological importance. A NATURA-protected area, it is a migration hot spot for birds, with more than 200 species from Africa reposing there each spring and fall before heading north and south respectively; it is home to the world’s largest colony of Eleonora’s falcon; it is the westernmost site in the . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind farm compensation ‘sounds like bribery’
Paying communities compensation for hosting offshore wind farms “sounds like bribery”, says a campaigner. It follows a recent think tank report that called for action to avoid a “local backlash” against onshore work needed to support developments, such as pylons, cabling and substations. Policy Exchange said “offshore wind wealth funds” should be introduced. UK government officials said they wanted communities to benefit from wind farm developments. The think tank said without support, offshore wind farms would experience opposition similar to . . . Complete story »
2,500 objections lodged against proposed Offaly windfarm
Approximately 2,500 objections have been lodged against a proposed Bord na Móna windfarm on Leamonaghan Bog, in Co. Offaly, according to TD, Carol Nolan. The independent TD said she welcomed the objections, received by Offaly County Council, to the construction of this “major windfarm”, which, she said, would be “tantamount to cultural and historical vandalism“. It is believed that the windfarm would be developed on about 1,200ha between Ballycumber and Ferbane. Deputy Nolan said she has visited the site on . . . Complete story »
Wind farms are shrinking golden eagle habitats as blades make them scared
Wind farms are shrinking golden eagles’ habitats as they are afraid of the blades, a study has found. The birds of prey are eight times less likely to fly near turbines when they are rotating compared with when they are switched off, scientists from the ecological company Natural Research Projects have found. It is thought the birds are avoiding areas where turbines are situated because the noise and movement makes them feel threatened. Another theory is that the circling blades . . . Complete story »
Plans for Cahermurphy windfarm rejected
Planning permission for a controversial wind farm in Cahermurphy has been rejected by Clare County Council. Mid Clare Renewable Energy (MCRE) Windfarm Ltd lodged the plans in September for the ten wind turbines with Clare County Council on Friday opting against giving the development the green light. Over 100 submissions were received by the local authority from the public, community groups and elected representatives. Among them were Violet Anne Wynne TD (SF), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Senator Roisin Garvey (GP), . . . Complete story »
Legal challenge threatens viability of Waterford wind farm, court told
A challenge to planning permission for an underground connector to an eight-turbine wind farm in Co Waterford could threaten its viability, the Commercial Court has been told. Knocknamona Windfarm Ltd got planning permission in 2016 for the turbines, with an overall height of 126.6m, at Tinakilly/Monageela/Kilatoor in Dungarvan. That permission was challenged and ultimately dismissed by the Commercial Court in 2017. In 2021 the company got another permission for 1,940m of underground medium-voltage cabling, and ancillary works, linking the Knocknamona . . . Complete story »
Action group mobilises to fight Garvary Wind Farm plan
A group campaigning against the planned Garvary Wind Farm is seeking volunteers and donations. Struie Action Group was initially founded some five years ago in opposition to the Beinn Tharsuinn Wind Farm, which was consented but never built. The action group is now being revitalised following the submission of a planning application to site 37 turbines, measuring 180m in height, on upland moorland east of the A836 and some 4.5km north of Lairg and 5.5km south of Bonar Bridge. Two . . . Complete story »
