Wind Power News: U.K.
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.
Electrical industry’s ‘dirty secret’ boosts warming
The expansion of electrical grid connections [due to wind, solar, and gas] has increased use of SF6. It’s the most powerful greenhouse gas known to humanity, and emissions have risen rapidly in recent years, the BBC has learned. Sulphur hexafluoride, or SF6, is widely used in the electrical industry to prevent short circuits and accidents. But leaks of the little-known gas in the UK and the rest of the EU in 2017 were the equivalent of putting an extra 1.3 . . . Complete story »
Controversial wind farm extension is halted…for now
Objectors who have battled a ‘noisy’ wind farm for 20 years have convinced councillors to temporarily halt plans to let it stay another decade. Barrow Borough Council planners voted to defer an application by Cannock Wind Energy Limited to extend the life of the Askam and Ireleth wind farm. Councillors want more independent evidence about the noise it makes. The turbines have been branded the ‘worst in the country’ for complaints. Marton resident Gillian Haythornthwaite told councillors it accounted for . . . Complete story »
‘Noisy’ wind farm extension paused after Barrow residents object
Residents claiming a nearby wind farm has been noisy for 20 years have convinced councillors to pause plans to keep it open for another decade. They said noise from the Askam and Ireleth wind farm, near Barrow, Cumbria, was “unbearable”. A decision on an application to extend its life has been deferred while Barrow Council seeks independent evidence. Operator Cannock Wind Farm Services said the farm had never been found to cause a statutory noise nuisance. Managing director Mike Tracey . . . Complete story »
Giant wind turbine to be demolished by explosion
A giant wind turbine at Hunterston in Ayrshire is to be blown up in a controlled explosion. The 177m-high (580ft) turbine had been used as a test site for offshore wind farms such as the massive Beatrice field in the Outer Moray Firth. The other turbine on the Hunterston site was dismantled by a crane last year. But operators SSE Renewables said no safe method of dismantling was possible in this case. It had intended to carry out a controlled . . . Complete story »
Furious farmers lose battle over plans for increased helicopter flights
Furious farmers fed-up with helicopters have failed to win a planning battle against Walney’s off-shore windfarm. Orsted’s plan to increase return flights from six to 10 between May and September was unanimously agreed by Barrow council’s planning committee. Father-and-son farmers Geoff and Steven Sharpe strongly objected. The Sharpes, who farm at Ormsgill and Oaklea Farm, Roanhead, both complained that the flights, from Sandscale Park, are harming their health and livestock. Mr Sharpe senior said no helicopters should fly over his . . . Complete story »
Last Hunterston turbine to be blown up
The last last remaining wind turbine at Hunterston is to be blown up later this month. The original intention had been to dismantle the components of the 177m 6MW Siemens turbine by crane but technical issues have put paid to this plan. Instead a controlled demolition with explosives will take place on September 19, weather permitting. Bosses at SSE say that the decision has been taken following consultation with police, North Ayrshire Council and Hunterston Nuclear Station, due to the . . . Complete story »
Plans to extend life of ‘noisy’ wind farm goes before authority
Objectors who have battled a ‘noisy’ wind farm for 20 years have convinced councillors to temporarily halt plans to let it stay another decade. Barrow Borough Council planners voted to defer an application by Cannock Wind Energy Limited to extend the life of the Askam and Ireleth wind farm. Councillors want more independent evidence about the noise it makes. Marton resident Gillian Haythornthwaite told councillors it accounted for 152 of 206 complaints. She blamed the site topography, changes in wind . . . Complete story »
Wind farm refused over Southern Upland Way impact
A wind farm appeal has been refused amid concerns it would spoil the enjoyment of a stretch of a popular south of Scotland walking route. Developer Energiekontor wanted to build 11 turbines at Cornharrow east of Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway. It appealed to the Scottish government over the local authority’s failure to give a decision on the plans. A reporter has now ruled their impact on landscape and “enjoyment of cultural heritage” would be unacceptable. It was accepted that . . . Complete story »
Second appearance for rejected Lairg windfarm
Revised plans for a wind farm near Lairg have been tabled, four years after being rejected by the Scottish Government. SSE Generation Ltd (SSEG) has submitted a scoping report for 26 turbines on Glencassley and Glenrossal estate. Highland Council originally raised no objection to the application in 2013, but Scottish ministers refused it in 2015 because of impact on the national scenic area and wild land. Now SSEG says it wants to review and optimise the design taking previous concerns . . . Complete story »
Protected gulls face year-round danger of hitting wind turbines
One of the UK’s best known seabirds birds faces a significant danger of crashing into wind turbines while migrating and during the winter months as well as in the breeding season, new research suggests. As part of the study, by scientists from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), lesser black-backed gulls breeding at three major UK colonies were fitted with state-of-the-art satellite tags to track their movements throughout the year. By combining data from the tags with information about onshore . . . Complete story »
