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.
Online public inquiry to consider Carnoustie golf links compulsory purchase battle
A three-day online public inquiry will take place over the planned compulsory purchase of land, which includes part of Carnoustie’s famous golf links, for work associated with what will become Scotland’s biggest offshore windfarm. Cables from the near-£6billion Seagreen development off the Angus coast are due to make land at the Angus town and be run underground to a substation near Tealing. Landowner Angus Council and Carnoustie Golf Links are continuing to fight energy giant SSE’s use of compulsory purchase . . . Complete story »
Carnedd Wen wind farm plans withdrawn – but they may be back in the future
The withdrawal of long-running wind farm plans has been hailed by protesters. Earlier this year, RWE innogy withdrew plans for a 50 turbine 150mw wind farm at Carnedd Wen, but has not ruled out resubmitting an application in the future. On withdrawing the application, an RWE innogy spokesman said: “innogy has decided to withdraw its current application for the Carnedd Wen Wind Farm and Habitat Restoration Project. “The onshore wind industry has seen many changes since the application was originally . . . Complete story »
Windfarm suffers blade damage
Damage has been identified on the blades of two turbines at the Minsca windfarm near Waterbeck. And operators Ventient Energy this week confirmed replacement blades will be needed. It comes after surveyors were spotted near the village looking at road routes to the windfarm. Ventient explained their transport surveyors are currently exploring alternatives routes to transport the new blades to site. A spokeswoman said: “The periodic maintenance of the fleet had identified the need for blades replacements on two turbines . . . Complete story »
Moray Tories voice fears over planning scrutiny
Moray Conservatives have raised fears that contentious planning proposals could be approved without proper scrutiny while councils operate under emergency powers. Councillor Claire Feaver (Forres), a member of Moray Council’s planning committee, has voiced concerns over changes in the way communities are consulted for large-scale proposals, such as windfarms. She is concerned that important planning decisions may not face the usual scrutiny as the whole process is currently being undertaken online and committee meetings are on hold. Cllr Feaver said: . . . Complete story »
New plans for wind turbines in East Renfrewshire as applicant tries again
Plans have been drawn up for three wind turbines on land to the south west of Eaglesham by an applicant who had a previous bid to create a wind farm turned down. Moorshield Wind Farm Ltd has submitted an application to East Renfrewshire Council for the erection of three 81m high wind turbines, together with sub-station/control building and access tracks, on land to the east of Shieldhill Farm, off Ayr Road, Loganswell. The applicant previously sought permission to create Soame . . . Complete story »
Storm blows up over Fence wind farm
Fears greenbelt land could be ‘spoiled’ forever have been voiced after plans to erect two wind turbines has been submitted to Pendle Council. Jackie Commons, who has lived in Fence for 20 years, said she is ‘amazed’ permission has been sought for the site in Wood End Road after plans to build a wind farm there in 2010 met fierce opposition. Pendle Council has erected a sign at the entrance to Moor Isles Farm that states the land is a . . . Complete story »
Power company faces backlash as windfarm work resumes
The power company behind Beinn an Tuirc Windfarm has faced a public backlash as work resumes at phase three of the site despite the country still being in lockdown. Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) confirmed that work at the site resumed ‘in a phased manner’ on Wednesday (May 6), with ‘a small number of personnel beginning to re-mobilise to the site’. Construction began on phase three of the windfarm, which is set to host 14 turbines with a maximum height of . . . Complete story »
Coronavirus: Scots communities health alarm over wind farm work restart using Irish workers
Communities have raised concerns about imminent plans to re-start work on a huge Scottish windfarm amidst a continuing coronavirus lockdown with imported Irish workers who they fear will not be tested. It comes a matter of days after it emerged that a local paramedic from the area had died from coronavirus. ScottishPower Renewables has been hit by complaints from locals about the re-opening of the 18-turbine Beinn an Tuirc 3 windfarm near Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula to dozens of . . . Complete story »
Windfarm group reacts to developers’ letter
Mr Mark Vyvyan-Robinson’s letter of April 24 raises a number of points, which need to be addressed: He writes that Garn Fach Wind Farm would be capable of generating 110 MW, enough to provide the electricity needs of 60,000 households. These figures are true if wind farms were generating massive capacity all the time. In practice, as he well knows, wind farms usually generate 20-25 per cent of capacity (that is the ‘load factor’, in the jargon of the trade), so . . . Complete story »
SSE Renewables in fresh bid for Great Glen wind farm in Monadhliath hills above Fort Augustus
A new onshore wind farm has been proposed in the hills above Fort Augustus. SSE Renewables has applied to the Scottish Government to construct and operate a 36-turbine farm. It would be located 11km south-east of the village in the Monadhliath mountains with a capacity of at least 150MW, according to the developer. The Cloiche wind farm would be situated close to the existing Stronelairg development which was completed in 2018, and opponents say the new development mimics parts of . . . Complete story »
