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Wind Power News: Europe
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.
Historic cottage demolished in Wick to make way for turbines
A Victorian cottage near Wick railway station is in the process of being demolished to make way for the transportation of wind turbine parts through the town. Bankhead Cottage is on the corner of Thurso Road and Bankhead Road and is described as a “two-bay rubble-built cottage with a similar three-bay structure abutting the rear elevation and W gable”, according to Canmore, a catalogue of Scottish heritage sites compiled and managed by Historic Environment Scotland. The cottage had, however, been . . . Complete story »
Infrasound from wind turbines could be ‘a huge threat to the entire biodiversity’: doctor
More than 70,000 wind turbines operate across the United States, and the U.S. government continues to approve offshore wind projects as part of its transition toward clean energy. When wind turbines rotate, however, they generate not only electricity but also infrasound. For Dr. Ursula Bellut-Staeck, this development represents “a huge problem for all forms of organisms,” including humans. The medical doctor and scientific author has been studying the health effects of infrasound for several years. She has been looking into . . . Complete story »
Protest in Varna against wind facilities in the Black Sea
Representatives of the fishing and tourism industries are protesting in Varna against the draft law on renewable energy in marine areas. Traffic in the area of the Palace of Culture and Sports was disrupted for 3 hours before noon on Monday 18 March. At the same time, a round table on the development of wind farms in the nearby Black Sea is being organised by the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD). “The so-called CSD continues to lobby for . . . Complete story »
Landmark wind turbine noise ruling from High Court referred to attorney general
The attorney general is studying a landmark High Court ruling on noise from wind turbines that could have implications for the operation of existing and future wind farms. Officials from two Government departments, Housing and Environment, have joined the chief law officer in examining the judgement. Wind Energy Ireland, which represents most wind farm owners in the country, also has experts scrutinising it. The ruling found that turbine noise – even if within planning regulation limits – could be categorised . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project loses appeal for second time
A wind farm project in southern Scotland has been rejected at appeal for the second time. The scheme at Garcrogo Hill and Barmark Hill, near Corsock in Dumfries and Galloway, would have involved the construction of seven turbines. A previous bid for nine turbines was refused at appeal in August 2022. A Scottish government reporter has ruled that revised proposals by Energiekontor UK should not go ahead either. ‘Range of benefits’ The company argued that the scheme could deliver a . . . Complete story »
Annulation historique des autorisations éoliennes
[The Council of State rendered a historic decision on March 8 making authorizations for onshore wind turbines and the rules for renewing wind facilities illegal. This decision is the result of a request submitted by the Fédération Environnement Durable and fifteen associations. The Council of State canceled all of the provisions concerning the three successive versions of the noise pollution measurement protocol intended to protect the health of neighbors. This decision not only concerns authorizations and current projects, but could . . . Complete story »
Bürger gehen gegen Windkraft in Warrenzin auf die Barrikaden
[Citizens take to the barricades against wind power in Warrenzin] In der Region wird derzeit vielerorts über die Pläne für den Ausbau der Windkraft diskutiert. Auch in Warrenzin überlegen Bürger, wie sich sich dagegen wehren können. Gegen den Vorentwurf 2023 des Regionalen Planungsverbandes Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, der Vorranggebiete für Windenergieanlagen ausweist, formiert sich auch im Demminer Bereich Widerstand. Denn „um bis zum Jahr 2045 die Treibhausgasneutralität in Deutschland sicherzustellen“, so das Dokument, müssen in der Planungsregion bis Jahresende 2032 „mindestens 2,1 . . . Complete story »
Nei til vindmølleparker
Nedbygging av norsk natur går nå i rekord-fart. Norske distriktskommuner skriker etter flere arbeidsplasser og samtidig gir dårlig kommuneøkonomi i distriktskommunene motivasjon til å godta at naturen og tradisjonelle næringer må gi plass for ny industri. Vi har spesielt sett det i mange år i havbruksnæringen, den gir sårt tiltrengte arbeidsplasser i distriktene og gir penger direkte i kommunekassen gjennom havbruksfondet. Dette gjør at mange kommuner føler de er nødt til å gi plass for denne industrien og tillater en . . . Complete story »
Wind farm noise constituted nuisance to nearby residents, High Court rules
A High Court judge has found that wind farm noise levels at certain times of the day constitute a nuisance to nearby residents. [download the judgement] In a decision that is understood to have implications for the operation of wind turbines, Ms Justice Emily Egan held that noise levels from the two-turbine Ballyduff Windfarm at Kilcomb, near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, amounted to an “unreasonable interference” with the enjoyment of two couples’ properties. The cases are the first private nuisance claims . . . Complete story »
Norway ends dispute with reindeer herders over wind farm
Norway has reached an agreement with Sami reindeer herders that allows the country’s largest wind farm to stay in operation, ending a dispute over Indigenous rights, the energy ministry said on Wednesday. Norway’s supreme court ruled in 2021 that the Storheia and Roan wind farms in Fosen in central Norway violated Sami rights under international conventions – prompting huge protests last year over the protracted process to implement the ruling. An agreement was reached in December with one group of . . . Complete story »
