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.
Shetland deserves answers
The area around the Burn of Lunklet has been rechristened Turbineland by a passer-by. Of course, signs shouldn’t be vandalised, but the new name is rather apt. Approximately 12 of Viking Energy’s 103 turbines are planned within two kilometres of the waterfall, in addition to miles of access roads. The Burn of Lunklet is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), just like the Sandwater loch. It is also an area of outstanding natural beauty, a hotspot for wildlife and . . . Complete story »
Appeal lodged after Council rejects Inver wind farm proposal
An appeal has been lodged against the decision of Donegal County Council to refuse permission for the erection of three wind turbines in Inver. Huntstown Windfarm Ltd have taken an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The application sought permission for the erection of three turbines with a hub height of up to 69m and a maximum blade tip height up to 110m at Altcor and Meenagranogue, Inver. However, Donegal County Council rejected the application, noting in its decision a recent . . . Complete story »
Blow to Infinergy scheme to extend Limekiln wind farm near Shebster
A Dutch firm’s plan to expand the controversial Limekiln Wind Farm near Shebster hit a stumbling block as Highland councillors objected to the plan. Members overruled officers who had recommended not raising an objection to the consultation by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, the body that oversees major generating projects. Councillors objected to the significant visual impact that Infinergy’s plan for five more turbines with a tip height of just under 150 metres would have. The extension to Limekiln . . . Complete story »
Black Stork nest hampers windfarm development progress
Plans to build a wind farm in southwestern Estonia are being held up after the discovery of a rare Black Stork’s nest in the vicinity. The plot of land at Tootsi, about 30 km northeast of Pärnu, cost state-owned energy provider Eesti Energia €51.5 million when they bought the land at auction in February. While an environmental inspection of the plot was conducted in 2016, no sign of any black storks nests were found at the time, business daily Äripäev . . . Complete story »
Yell wind farm developer wants larger turbines
The developer behind plans for a consented wind farm in Yell is proposing to increase the height of the turbines to boost the amount of electricity it could generate. Peel Energy has begun the formal process of instigating the change for its 17-turbine Beaw Field wind farm in the south of Yell. It is also proposing to increase the lifespan of the wind farm from 25 to 50 years – a timeframe which Peel says is “more appropriate and in . . . Complete story »
Conwy wind farm snub
A county council economic spokesman told owners of a wind farm he’d rather see a tidal lagoon than more giant turbines off the coast. Cllr Goronwy Edwards, Conwy County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, revealed he told Innogy Renewables the council’s preferences during a presentation about Awel y Mor wind farm extension. Speaking at Thursday’s full council meeting, he said the new field would see Gwynt y Mor field “double in size” in the direction of Anglesey. The proposals, . . . Complete story »
Plans for 22-turbine onshore wind farm in Scotland given green light
Plans to build an onshore wind farm, which developers claim will deliver a “host of benefits” to the local community, in the south of Scotland have been given the green light. Hamilton-based Banks Renewables’ 22-turbine Lethans Wind Farm east of New Cumnock in East Ayrshire will have an installed capacity of up to 105.6 megawatts. The Scottish Government approved the proposals after they were revised to maximise the supply of electricity. The 220m turbines that will be deployed are the . . . Complete story »
Row over ‘scandal’ of Scots green jobs going abroad as Bifab ‘loses’ cut of major wind farm contract
A fresh row has emerged over Scots firms losing out on wind farm revolution jobs after it union leaders manufacturing firm Burntisland Fabrications (Bifab) has failed to get a slice of a major multi-million offshore wind farm contract. The Herald has previously revealed that no final decisions had yet been confirmed over whether Canadian-owned Bifab, with yards in Arnish and Fife, would get a cut of the action in the creation of one of the country’s biggest offshore wind farms, . . . Complete story »
Concern expressed over wind tower dumping
The European Commission has today initiated an investigation into the dumping of wind towers on the EU market from China. Wind towers – used to make renewable electricity – are principally built using steel, and the opening of this investigation shows that steel-using sectors also need adequate trade remedies. “EUROFER welcomes the Commission’s initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into the conditions of imports of Chinese wind towers into the EU”, said Axel Eggert, director general of the European Steel Association . . . Complete story »
Huge windfarm project 37km off Jersey’s south coast already having a ‘massive impact’ on fishing
The head of the Fishermen’s Association in Jersey says the loss of French fishing grounds due to a wind farm project off the coast of St Brieuc is putting increased pressure on local fishing grounds. The project, which has been in planning for almost a decade, has now moved into the groundworks testing and manufacturing stage, displacing parts of the French fishing fleet. Under the Granville Bay Treaty, Jersey and French fishermen have access to parts of each other’s waters . . . Complete story »
