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.
Fears lit-up Lammermuir wind turbines would be visible for miles
Plans to light up new wind turbines on the Lammermuir Hills have criticised. East Lothian Council has objected to the proposed expansion of the Crystal Rig wind farm, which straddles the local authority’s boundary with the Scottish Borders, over plans to put red lights on top of them to meet Civil Aviation Authority regulations. The size of the proposed turbines has already raised objections from local residents, who said some would be as high as the towers of the new . . . Complete story »
Wilson says ‘no’ to proposed wind farm overlooking Antrim Coast Road
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has added his voice in opposition to the proposed erection of 14 wind turbines overlooking the Antrim Coast Road. Ballygilbert Windfarm is in the early stages of being developed by RES UK and Ireland, which is based at Willowbank Business Park in Larne. Proposals were on show at a public exhibition in Ballygally Castle Hotel earlier this month. Mr Wilson said: “Some residents, while opposed to the imposition of the wind turbines, have raised concerns . . . Complete story »
Angus parks bosses lodge objection over offshore windfarm cabling across Carnoustie links land
Parks chiefs have lodged an official objection to a plan to lay cable for a £6 billion offshore windfarm through land on the world-famous Carnoustie golf links. The 120-turbine Seagreen Wind Energy plan off the Angus coast has been hailed as a renewables contract bonanza. However, Angus Council, which owns the links land that hosted the 2018 Open Championship, has signalled its official opposition to a compulsory purchase order bid for almost 30 acres of ground on the coast at . . . Complete story »
Gulls ‘vulnerable to collisions’ with wind turbines, says new study
Research involving a colony of gulls on the Suffolk coast has shown the birds could be vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines while on migration, as well as during the breeding season. The study conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), which is based in Thetford, saw solar‐powered global positioning system (GPS) tags attached to adult lesser black-backed gulls at three breeding sites designated as Special Protection Areas. They were Orford Ness, off the Suffolk Coast where 25 gulls . . . Complete story »
Viking Energy bid for vital government support unsuccessful
The proposed Viking Energy wind farm has suffered a huge blow after it failed to win government subsidy. The future of the 103-turbine, 457MW project has been left in doubt following the news announced this morning (20 September). It needs the subsidy to go ahead, meaning that the project – which has consent from Scottish ministers – has been shrouded in more uncertainty. Viking Energy Shetland said in a statement that it was “very disappointed” with the outcome of the . . . Complete story »
Blow for Stornoway Wind Farm following energy contract announcement
The UK Government’s mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity generation is the Contracts for Difference (CfD), which have been awarded to two developers in the Outer Hebrides – Muaitheabhal Wind Farm and Druim Leathann Windfarm. However, a large development Stornoway Wind Farm, has not achieved the vital CfD. Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Councillor Roddie MacKay said of the annuoncement: “It is good news that two out of three local developers have achieved a CfD. “It is hugely disappointing, however, . . . Complete story »
Vote deferred on plans to extend life of South Cumbrian wind farm
Plans to extend the life of a ‘noisy’ South Cumbrian wind farm by another decade have been temporarily blocked. An application for the continued operation of the Askam and Ireleth wind farm was deferred after Barrow Borough Council planners decided they wanted more independent evidence about the noise it makes. The turbines have been branded the ‘worst in the country’ for complaints. Marton resident Gillian Haythornthwaite told councillors it accounted for 152 of 206 complaints about turbines. She blamed the . . . Complete story »
Sparks fly as Germany’s climate plan hits rural landscapes
German farmer Edgar Thomas already has two towering pylons spoiling the view of the picturesque rolling hills around his land, and he’s exasperated that his area is being asked to find room for more. But in the country’s bid to ditch fossil fuels and switch to renewables as it marches towards a carbon-neutral future, such power highways are essential to transport green energy mostly harnessed in the north to the industry-intensive south. Thomas’ reluctance to see yet more power lines . . . Complete story »
Rare birds killed by wind turbines in Evros, Greece
The National Forest and Park Management Authority of Dadia, Lefkimi, and Soufli announced on Wednesday that two rare raptors were found killed recently next to wind turbines in south Evros, in northeastern Greece. On August 19, a lesser spotted eagle was found dead by a resident of Ferres in Evros, at the wind turbine park of Melia. Just two days later, the body of a rare cinereous vulture was spotted next to another wind turbine located near the village of . . . Complete story »
Dromahair community fights back against proposed giant wind turbines
Ahead of an expected planning application from Coillte for the erection of 10 giant wind turbines on Corry Mountain on the outskirts of Dromahair, a public meeting was held last Thursday night in order to outline the various concerns surrounding the proposed development. There was standing room only in The Clubhouse for the meeting which heard from a number of experts in a variety of fields while the meeting was also attended by local representatives and concerned members of the . . . Complete story »
