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.
Plans for ‘supersized’ wind turbines in Dublin slammed for ‘favouring developers over proper planning’
A Dublin TD has raised concerns over plans for a number of 300-metre high wind turbines off the coast of Dublin. Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit said the government have “favoured developers over proper planning and protection of the environment”. A number of “supersized” turbines are planned for the Kish Bank from Booterstown to Bray with more planned for the Irish sea off Greystones, Arklow, and Wicklow. Deputy Boyd Barrett said: “I’m very much in favour of developing . . . Complete story »
Caithness councillor accuses renewable energy body of ‘lazy, arrogant’ claims over public support for onshore wind
A Caithness councillor has accused a renewable energy trade body of making “lazy, complacent and arrogant” claims over the level of public approval for wind turbines. Councillor Matthew Reiss said the assertion by RenewableUK that 70 per cent of people support building onshore wind farms “is not the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. He said national organisations should avoid making “sweeping generalisations” and acknowledge opposition from communities close to wind farm sites – highlighting the Limekiln . . . Complete story »
Go-ahead given for new wind farm at Camster after appeal to Scottish Government
A renewable energy company has been given the go-ahead for a new wind farm in Caithness after its appeal to the Scottish Government was upheld. The decision clears the way for RWE Renewables to install up to 11 turbines at its Camster II Wind Farm development on land some 2000 metres north-west of Tannach Hill. Its planning application was turned down in January by Highland Council, which ruled that the wind farm “would have a significantly detrimental visual impact”. In . . . Complete story »
Concern in the community about plans for UK’s tallest wind farm near Welsh village
A campaign group has come together to protest plans to build the UK’s tallest wind farm in south Wales. The Y Bryn onshore wind farm proposes 26 wind turbines of up to 250m each, making them the UK’s tallest onshore wind farm structures. The firm behind the plans insists it is listening to people’s concerns. However, more than a thousand locals have joined the The Stop Y Bryn Wind Farm group – expressing concern about the site’s heritage, loss of . . . Complete story »
Land court rejects windfarm objectors
The Scottish Land Court has rejected the latest effort by some tenants in Lewis townships to block the Stornoway Trust’s agreement with Stornoway Wind Farm Ltd to create a 36-turbine development on common grazings. The project is a joint venture between the French energy company, EDF, and the Wood group. The eventual fate of the proposed development hangs on whether or not an interconnector is established between Lewis and the mainland. The objectors were shareholders in four of the 17 . . . Complete story »
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 »
