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Wind Power News: Isle of Man
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Petitioners oppose wind turbine plan
A petition signed by 40 residents against a plan for three wind turbines overlooking Port Erin has joined the chorus voicing opposition to the proposal. The application ((14/00632/B) by Cheeseden Investments Ltd) for the turbines is at a home owned by billionaire property magnate John Whittaker at his home at Ballaman in Rushen parish. The petition raised several objections including that three 18.5-metre-high wind turbines would have ‘a significant visual impact’ and that it contravenes five policies in the strategic . . . Complete story »
Plan submitted for three wind turbines in beauty spot
Another proposal to erect three 10kw wind turbines on the headland overlooking Port Erin bay has been submitted on property owned by billionaire property magnate John Whittaker. This is the second time permission has been sought for the plan (14/00632/B) by Cheeseden Investments Ltd. Each turbine will be 15 metres high and have a seven-metre diameter grey blade. Mr Whittaker is chairman of the Peel Group, which owns a number of properties and businesses, including Liverpool Airport, and has an . . . Complete story »
Merchant Navy captain raises concerns over wind farm plans
A former Merchant Navy Captain has warned of potential disruptions to ferry and freight routes, if plans for a wind farm off the coast of Ramsey go ahead. Yesterday, Dong Energy signed a lease agreement with the Government to survey the area, as they look to bring in as many as a hundred turbines. Mezeron and Stena vessels would both have to alter their services if the current blueprints were put in place – as the wind farm would obstruct . . . Complete story »
Are windfarms no longer answer to cutting Isle of Man’s carbon emissions?
Are windfarms no longer seen as the answer to cutting the island’s carbon emissions? Tynwald last month voted to commit the island to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. But at this month’s sitting of court, Environment Minister Richard Ronan said the government did not want to promote wind farms for local use. Replying to a question from Peter Karran (LibVan, Onchan), he said: ‘Government currently has no plans to offer equivalent subsidies to those in . . . Complete story »
Turbines on wind farm extension will be significantly bigger
The turbines for a major extension to an offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea will be significantly larger than the ones currently used. Developer DONG Energy have announced MHI Vestas Offshore Wind as their preferred partner to supply the turbines for the extension to the 102-turbine Walney Array off the coast of Cumbria. The developer intends to use Vestas’ eight-megawatt V164 turbines. Visible from the east coast of the Isle of Man on a clear day, the existing Walney . . . Complete story »
Manx Wildlife Trust worries over windfarm plans
The Manx Wildlife Trust says it has some worries over government plans for a windfarm off the Island’s East coast. Earlier this week, the Department of Infrastructure unveiled proposals to rent out enough seabed for a 700 megawatt offshore wind farm – swelling government coffers by around £5 million a year. But with diverse wildlife in the sea around the Isle of Man, the Trust says it has some environmental concerns. The Trust’s Marine Officer Lara Howe says more information . . . Complete story »
Have Manx seabed plans been blown off course by wind farm withdrawal?
An energy firm’s decision to scrap its Irish Sea wind farm plans brings into question proposals for Manx waters. As the Courier reported last week, Celtic Array, a joint venture between Centrica and Dong Energy, announced it was pulling out of all schemes in the Irish Sea zone, citing ‘challenging’ seabed conditions which it said made it ‘economically unviable with current technology’. The news came as a shock as Celtic Array had just completed the second round of a costly . . . Complete story »
Hospitality body welcomes turbine decision
A leading tourism industry body on the Island says it is relieved plans for a huge windfarm off the Welsh coast have been scrapped. Last week, Centrica and Dong Energy said they were dropping proposals to put 440 turbines in the sea between the Isle of Man and the UK. Now, the Manx Hospitality Partnership has welcomed the news after worries the plans would restrict ferry travel. Chairman Theo Fleurbaay says it is good news for Manx tourism. | Complete story »
TravelWatch delighted at Wind Farm climbdown
TravelWatch Isle of Man is delighted to learn of the withdrawal of Celtic Array’s threat to build wind turbines which would have caused major disruption to vital ferry routes linking the Island with Heysham and Liverpool. Celtic Array have announced that their withdrawal is due to adverse ground conditions found in the sea-bed, and the company has therefore handed back its licence to the Crown Estate. Recent reports in the business press suggest that plans for a series of new . . . Complete story »
Chorus of disapproval over wind turbines
The chorus of objections to plans to erect three wind turbines overlooking Port Erin grew louder after further issues were raised by Port Erin Commissioners. The plan (14/00632/B) by multi-millionaire John Whittaker is to erect three 10Kw wind turbines at Ballaman, Ballnahowe Road, Rushen. Rushen Parish Commissioners (RPC) voted unanimously against the proposal and it has provoked many letters of objection from members of the public. Port Erin Commissioners requested interested party status; the planning committee will decide if this . . . Complete story »
