Wind Power News: England
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.
Proposed windfarm power cable poses ‘existential threat’ to charity
A Suffolk disability charity has warned installing a cable to connect a proposed offshore windfarm to the mainland could force it to close. The Warden’s Trust, based between Sizewell and Thorpeness, is a cliffside retreat for children and adults that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Dr Alexander Gimson, chair of trustees, said the resort’s key selling point is its idyllic location. However, Dr Gimson fears ScottishPower’s proposal to lay a cable between a windfarm in the North Sea . . . Complete story »
Decision on offshore windfarm plans delayed by 3 months
A decision on whether offshore windfarms off the Suffolk coast will be built has been pushed back by three months, it has emerged. The Planning Inspectorate on Thursday confirmed it has extended the examination period for ScottishPower Renewables’ plans for the East Anglia One North (EA1N) and East Anglia Two (EA2) windfarm proposals until July 6 – three months later than the planned examination end date of Tuesday next week. That extends the whole process by the months. The Planning . . . Complete story »
‘Irreversible losses’: Wildlife expert fears for North Sea habitat
The North Sea off Suffolk could be facing “irreversible wildlife losses” because of the impact on its environment of the growing number of windfarms. RSPB policy officer Helen Quayle told a Parliamentary sub-committee that the energy industry was destroying habitats and food sources. The House of Lords EU Environment sub-committee is examining the environmental impact of energy developments in the North Sea as the government calls for more offshore wind turbines to provide a four-fold increase in electricity generation from . . . Complete story »
Turbine failure probe begins
Popular walking routes around a wind farm remain closed as engineers continue to probe why a huge blade became dislodged from a towering turbine last week. No-one was hurt during the incident – which occurred at about 3pm last Friday at the EDF-run Park Spring Wind Farm near Grimethorpe – but ramblers have been urged to avoid the area while debris is removed from the site. Little Houghton Parish Council’s Kevin Osborne, who was at the site an hour after . . . Complete story »
Chunk of wind turbine debris crashes onto South Yorkshire path
A wind farm has been shut down and popular public footpaths cordoned off after a huge chunk of debris flew off a turbine and crash to the ground near Barnsley. A loud bang was heard on Friday afternoon when parts of the turbine crashed on the nearby path. Parish councillor Kevin Osbourne, who has called for a safety investigation, said it was lucky no-one was hurt after the failure at Park Spring Wind Farm near Little Houghton. He said the . . . Complete story »
Safety review at Yorkshire wind farm after debris falls from turbine onto footpath popular with dog walkers
A parish councillor has called for a “full and thorough” safety examination, after a wind turbine suffered “catastrophic failure”, shedding debris on to a public footpath. Councillor Kevin Osbourne, of Little Houghton Parish Council, has written to EDF Energy to demand that a safety investigation is carried out on the three turbines at Park Spring Wind Farm. Residents reported hearing a loud bang on Friday afternoon (March 12), as debris was flung from the blade on to a public footpath . . . Complete story »
Energy company fined after worker suffers multiple injuries in fall from height
Energy company, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Ltd, has been fined after an agency worker fell 1.8 metres from a blade platform. Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 11 November 2017, the 30-year-old was working inside one of the turbine blades at the company’s blade factory in Hull. Inside the blade is a midway platform referred to as the “web”. He was standing on the web, vacuuming the inside of the blade to clean off fibreglass dust and deposits. As he . . . Complete story »
Turbine failure sees wind farm shut down
A wind farm has been switched off after a turbine malfunctioned and sent debris falling into the field below. Investigations are underway as to the cause of the failure, at Park Spring wind farm, Grimethorpe at around 3pm today (March 12). A blade from one of the site’s trio of four-year-old turbines became detached and fell almost 100m to the ground. Debris is scattered around the field and residents were urged to avoid the area while EDF engineers attended the . . . Complete story »
More large-scale onshore wind farms planned across Lincolnshire
A number of large-scale wind farms across parts of Lincolnshire have been included in plans to reduce carbon emissions. Three district councils in the county are considering recommendations to build dozens of turbines across the district. Opponents have criticised the use of onshore turbines due to what they see as the impact on the environment and noise concerns. The City of Lincoln, West Lindsey and North Kesteven councils make up the central Lincolnshire ‘Local Area’ plan. They are now considering . . . Complete story »
Wind farm extension not currently supported by Bognor Regis Town Council
Plans to extend the Rampion Wind Farm are not currently supported by Bognor Regis Town Council (BRTC). An informal consultation is currently being held before in depth plans are submitted. The current area of search for a possible extension stretches as far as Bognor Regis. Meanwhile cables connecting the turbines to the national grid could make landfall at Climping beach, connecting via an underground route to the substation at Bolney in Mid Sussex. Back in February, the community engagement and . . . Complete story »
