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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Blueprint could kill off big wind farms and pylons
A blueprint for the future of the region could finally bring an end to fears over large scale wind farms and power lines. Seven years after work first began on the Powys Local Development plan, the final documents are available and have been recommended for approval ahead of a county council cabinet meeting on Tuesday. And it could mean an end to plans for a series of large scale wind farms and the associated overhead power lines and pylons. Work . . . Complete story »
There’s not a lot of room left for turbines
The Borders is running out of space for wind farms, according to a report which forms part of a supplementary guidance (SG) on renewable energy, roundly welcomed by councillors last Thursday. The report by environmental consultant Ironside Farrar looked into the capacity and cumulative impact of the region’s wind energy landscape. While the consultants found that there are areas in the Borders – namely upland areas in the north, extreme west and south-west – have the highest capacity for more . . . Complete story »
Health warning over Bonhill windfarm proposals
Concerns have been raised over West Dunbarton-shire Council’s proposed £7million windfarm at Bonhill. Councillors heard during a meeting of the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee that the proposals, which would see a four-turbine wind farm created in Pappert Community Woodland, would have adverse effects on local wildlife, public health and scenery. Speaking at a meeting of the committee on Thursday, two objectors expressed concerns about the plans, which they say impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. . . . Complete story »
Approval of 78m tall wind turbine taken to Secretary of State for redetermination
A planning dispute which has rumbled on for three years will reach a conclusion as the case is brought before the Secretary of State. An application to install a 78 metre wind turbine in Hempstead was initially submitted to the North Norfolk District Council in December 2014. However it was refused by NNDC in July 2015, before an appeal was submitted and granted by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2016. The District Council has now asked for a statutory review . . . Complete story »
Fears Speyside could become encircled in ‘ring of iron’ amid wind farm ‘saturation’
A Moray business owner fears tourists will desert Speyside amid concerns his firm will soon become encircled in a “ring of iron”. Every year Joerg Bondzio, who is originally from Germany, welcomes hundreds of visitors to his Sporting Scotland enterprise near Knockando. Whisky tourists rank among his biggest customers eager to sample canoeing on the River Spey, off-road driving, fishing or orienteering. However, in recent years he has become increasingly concerned with the amount of wind turbines that are being . . . Complete story »
Green energy bid sees rural areas swamped by wind farms
The relentless spread of wind farms has accelerated, with hundreds more turbines erected in the countryside in the past year. Capacity of Scotland’s onshore wind industry rocketed by 17 per cent in the past year, with the increase estimated to be equivalent to more than 350 extra turbines. The further expansion of wind farms is expected to continue in the coming years, with the Scottish Government insisting that more are needed to meet its green energy targets. But the move . . . Complete story »
30m turbine faces costly repairs after gearbox ‘fails’
The Abergwaun community wind turbine has broken down and faces costly repairs after its gearbox apparently packed up, the County Echo has learnt. The 30m-high turbine at Trebover Farm, Llanychaer – a joint collaboration between a local farmer and Transition Bro Gwaun renewables group – remains out of action after the company that manufactured it went into administration while the firm behind the gearbox went bust. TBG’s 50 per cent share of the £570,000 funding required for the turbine was . . . Complete story »
Legal bid from whisky giant to halt Moray windfarm plan is thrown out
A whisky giant’s court bid to halt construction on a £100million wind farm near its Moray distillery has been thrown out. William Grant and Sons has been fighting the Dorenell development five miles from Dufftown for seven years – and lost a previous legal challenge in 2012. The drinks firm, whose brands include Glenfiddich, object to the 59 turbines due to fears they could harm the natural Speyside landscape and the impact on tourists going to their visitor centre. Yesterday, . . . Complete story »
Sturgeon gives green light to massive surge in wind farms
Scotland is facing a huge wind farm expansion after Nicola Sturgeon yesterday unveiled measures to support the green energy industry. The first Minister insisted that onshore wind ‘will continue to be’ central to Scotland’s energy needs as the country moves towards a ‘low carbon’ economy. She urged the UK Government to bring back subsidies to help the industry expand – and hinted her new ‘Scottish National Investment Bank’ will look to fund the spread of turbines. Miss Sturgeon also said . . . Complete story »
Glenfiddich whisky owner loses wind farm legal battle
The owner of Glenfiddich whisky has lost a legal battle to halt the construction of a £100m wind farm in Banffshire. William Grant & Sons objected to the 59-turbine scheme, saying it would be too close to its distillery in Dufftown. The distiller claimed it would spoil the surrounding countryside and put visitors off. Its lawyers said the developers were given five years to start construction in 2011, which they claimed Dorenell had not done. However, the Court of Session . . . Complete story »
