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.
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 »
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 »
Wind farms are shrinking golden eagle habitats as blades make them scared
Wind farms are shrinking golden eagles’ habitats as they are afraid of the blades, a study has found. The birds of prey are eight times less likely to fly near turbines when they are rotating compared with when they are switched off, scientists from the ecological company Natural Research Projects have found. It is thought the birds are avoiding areas where turbines are situated because the noise and movement makes them feel threatened. Another theory is that the circling blades . . . Complete story »
Action group mobilises to fight Garvary Wind Farm plan
A group campaigning against the planned Garvary Wind Farm is seeking volunteers and donations. Struie Action Group was initially founded some five years ago in opposition to the Beinn Tharsuinn Wind Farm, which was consented but never built. The action group is now being revitalised following the submission of a planning application to site 37 turbines, measuring 180m in height, on upland moorland east of the A836 and some 4.5km north of Lairg and 5.5km south of Bonar Bridge. Two . . . Complete story »
Application made for Orkney wind farm on uninhabited island
Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has handed in its planning application for a six-turbine wind farm on the uninhabited island of Faray. The scheme is one of a trio of proposed wind farms which make up Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project. The developments would help trigger the installation of a new interconnector between Orkney and the mainland. An independent report commissioned by the council said the link, which has been conditionally approved by Ofgem, could be worth more than £800 annually . . . Complete story »
Epic failures on wind energy
Well done to the Ferret and The Herald for the excellent article on wind farms, obscene profits and tax avoidance (“Scottish wind farm owners linked to foreign tax havens”, The Herald, July 13). We have known for years that LLPs who operate wind farms send their revenues to tax havens overseas, where they are (not) taxed. From there benefits can flow to individuals anywhere in the world. Nothing accrues to the UK Exchequer. Putting it right is very complicated, because . . . Complete story »
