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.
Local politicians vote against billionaire’s turbine plan
Rushen Parish Commissioners have unanimously opposed a plan to erect three turbines overlooking Port Erin bay. The plan, 14/00632/B by billionaire John Whittaker is to erect three, 10Kw wind turbines at Ballaman, Ballnahowe Road, which is in Rushen parish and overlooks Port Erin. Each turbine will be 15 metres high, have a seven-metre diameter blade and be grey to merge against the background. The commissioners raised several objections about the plan at their latest meeting. They said they would have . . . Complete story »
Residents oppose billionaire’s wind turbine plan
A plan to put three wind turbines on the headland overlooking Port Erin has angered residents who say it will be a blot in an area of outstanding natural beauty. And the local authority has requested it has ‘interested party’ status because, although the proposed turbines are in Rushen parish, they will overlook Port Erin and be clearly seen from Bradda Head. The plan, 14/00632/B by multi-millionaire John Whittaker is to erect three, 10Kw wind turbines at Ballaman, Ballnahowe Road, . . . Complete story »
Isle of Man fears wind farm plan will hit ferry link
Offshore wind farms have recently been cancelled because of sea birds, rocky ground and basking sharks. But the latest claim is that they could threaten the economic lifeline of an entire island. The Isle of Man government and business community are trying to prevent turbines being built in the Irish Sea, which they say would endanger the world’s longest continuous ferry service and create a radar black spot for flights. The Steam Packet Company, which runs thrice daily services between . . . Complete story »
Isle of Man public wind farm comments ‘valuable’
Feedback from public meetings on a wind farm project off the coast of the Isle Man “will be carefully considered” in the planning process, say developers. Celtic Array, the company behind the Rhiannon project, has just completed a second round of consultation events. Rhiannon would consist of about 440 turbines and would be situated 21 miles (34km) from the Isle of Man coast. A company spokesman said all the public comments gathered at the meetings will inform the planning application. . . . Complete story »
Tynwald approves Manx wind farms
Tynwald voted overwhelmingly for a strategy on offshore energy production that could see wind farms developed in Manx territorial waters. The Council of Ministers’ report suggests that leasing the seabed could earn government £5m a year from each wind farm – and create at least 60 jobs. Environment Minister Phil Gawne told Tynwald there is significant potential to provide sites for cost effective offshore wind farms supplying renewable energy to the UK. Infrastructure Minister Laurence Skelly said: ‘This is where . . . Complete story »
Captain’s warning over wind farm development
If wind farm developers get their way the Isle of Man’s residents and tourists are guaranteed to feel the effects. That’s according to the captain of the Ben-my-Chree who says the impact of the proposed Walney extension, and other large development areas, will be damaging. Yesterday the UK Planning Inspectorate heard from a number of interested parties as part of a planning hearing over proposals for developments in the Irish Sea. If the plans get the go-ahead the Steam Packet . . . Complete story »
Major travel link concerns expressed at wind farm hearing
A team of inspectors are returning to the UK, with plenty to consider after a public hearing about a proposed wind farm extension. Yesterday, the three-strong team heard evidence about the Walney Wind Farm extension planned by Dong Energy. The plans would see more turbines – 200 metres tall, dwarfing Blackpoool Tower – in the Irish Sea to the Northeast of the Isle of Man. Yesterday, representatives from the airport expressed concerns about possible interference with radar, while the Steam . . . Complete story »
Wind farm hearing
A planning hearing will take place at the Villa Marina tomorrow (Tuesday) over proposals for wind farm developments in the Irish Sea. There are two hearings before the UK’s planning inspectorate – the first, starting at 10am, dealing with air navigation followed by an open floor session in the afternoon at 2pm looking at a range of issues including sea navigation. Both hearings deal with Dong Energy’s plans to extend the Walney wind farm off the coast of Cumbria but . . . Complete story »
Manx government looking for firms to develop wind farms at sea
The Isle of Man government is inviting expressions of interest from parties seeking to develop offshore energy production in Manx territorial seas. Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin said: ‘The opportunities for the Isle of Man in renewable energy are significant. For example, we estimate that leasing parts of the seabed within our waters to an offshore wind farm developer would generate several millions of pounds of income per year for the Isle of Man Government. ‘The potential return to . . . Complete story »
Prowind wants compensation
A backbench MHK says he’s astonished a company behind a proposed wind farm and wind turbine manufacturing plant has pulled out – and demanded compensation. As reported in yesterday’s Manx Independent and online here, Prowind UK managing director Keith Brooks wrote to Tynwald members saying he had no option but to seek an alternative site in the UK after ‘vastly incorrect representation’ of his company was made in the House of Keys on Tuesday. His anger was directed at Michael . . . Complete story »
