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.
Huge windfarm project 37km off Jersey’s south coast already having a ‘massive impact’ on fishing
The head of the Fishermen’s Association in Jersey says the loss of French fishing grounds due to a wind farm project off the coast of St Brieuc is putting increased pressure on local fishing grounds.The project, which has been in planning for almost a decade, has now moved into the groundworks testing and manufacturing stage, displacing parts of the French fishing fleet.Under the Granville Bay Treaty, Jersey and French fishermen have access to parts of each other’s waters but, with . . . Complete story »
Mixed fortunes for Highland wind farm plans
Wind farm proposals in Skye and Caithness received polar opposite reactions from councillors at yesterday’s Highland Council north planning committee. Proposals by Kilmac Energy to modify plans for its Glen Ullinish windfarm at Struan, on Skye, were backed elected members. But Infinergy’s proposals to extend their unpopular Limekiln wind farm by five turbines at Shebster, Thurso, were thrown out. It’s 21 turbine Limekiln site, south of Reay, was granted permission on appeal by Scottish ministers in June 2019, following an . . . Complete story »
Heriot wind farm development appeal rejected
A bid to overturn a council’s refusal of a wind farm in the Scottish Borders has failed. A Scottish government reporter concluded the development near Heriot would have a “severely disruptive” effect on the landscape. Energiekontor had appealed against Scottish Borders Council’s rejection of its eight-turbine Wull Muir scheme. However, a reporter said it “failed to respect” the character of the area and turned down the appeal. Councillors rejected the proposals earlier this year amid concerns about their visual impact. . . . Complete story »
Stuck in a wind farm sink estate
It is telling that Susan Law’s Agenda article (“Practicality is key if we want more turbines”, The Herald, October 15) makes no mention of the communities and people who live in the areas “that aren’t the most accessible”. It is however a useful insight into how the factors, landowners and money people view the communities in these areas – they don’t even register in their thought processes. It is an attitude reminiscent of a different era. The fact that the . . . Complete story »
Young osprey dies following turbine collision
A Western Osprey chick has died after it collided with a wind turbine in North Wales. The pair of ospreys at Llyn Brenig raised one chick and it was thought that all three birds had commenced their southward migration by the end of August. However, in late September news emerged that the body of this year’s youngster (KC5) had been found adjacent to a wind turbine, around 5 km south-east of the nest, on 6 August. In the days prior, . . . Complete story »
North Wales seabirds face ‘extinction’ if Boris Johnson’s ‘limitless’ wind farm plan takes off
Wind farms built to tackle climate change could lead to the “irreversible” decline towards extinction for seabirds including puffins, the RSPB has warned. Last week Boris Johnson announced plans to power every home in Britain by wind by 2030. He said the UK has “limitless” offshore wind capacity which would be at the heart of a green industrial revolution – creating millions of jobs. But conservationists say the expansion of offshore farms could be the final nail in the coffin . . . Complete story »
National Grid is forced to search for emergency power sources due to lack of wind
National Grid is being forced to search for emergency power sources due to a recent lack of wind – just a week after Boris Johnson said wind farms would power every home in the UK within a decade. The utility company, which is responsible for ensuring supply and demand are balanced in Britain’s energy systems, said electricity supply margins were likely to be tight in the country over the next few days. Bosses insisted there would be an adequate supply . . . Complete story »
Raw Deal: Shetland cancer patient fears peaceful life will be shattered by £580m ring of wind turbines
Evelyn and Donnie Morrison’s croft has been in the family for more than 200 years. But now they say their home in Shetland’s Weisdale Valley will be spoiled by the sight of 155 metre-high wind turbines all around them – and they believe this will also make the house nearly impossible to sell. The massive turbines are among 103 planned for the Viking Energy wind farm, which will be the UK’s largest onshore facility of its kind when it is . . . Complete story »
Lack of wind sparks National Grid energy alert
The operator of Britain’s electricity network warned late on Wednesday afternoon that low wind levels had forced it to search for emergency sources of power. In a statement, the National Grid Electricity Systems Operator (ESO) said: “Unusually low wind output coinciding with a number of generator outages means the cushion of spare capacity we operate the system with has been reduced.” It added that it was exploring measures to ensure that there was enough generation available to increase its capacity, . . . Complete story »
Puffins will be driven to extinction by offshore wind plan, warns RSPB
Puffins and other seabirds will be driven to extinction by Boris Johnson’s plan to power Britain with ‘limitless’ offshore wind energy by 2020, the RSPB has warned. The conservation charity has urged the Government to keep its objectives ‘in harmony with nature’, recommending to build solar and wind panels in areas with a lower level of biodiversity. It follows the Prime Minister earlier this month setting out a green energy plan, which will see thousands of coastal turbines built in . . . Complete story »
