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.
Wind farm plans compared to flooding of Capel Celyn
Plans for a solar wind farm in west Wales has been compared to the flooding of Capel Celyn. Cllr Gareth Thomas said the 65-hectare renewable energy project proposed at Llanedi, in the east of Carmarthenshire, was “the same kind of concept” as that of the Tryweryn Valley in the 1960s. The Tryweryn Valley near Bala, which included the village of Capel Celyn, was flooded in 1965 to create a new reservoir for the English city to the north east. Cllr . . . Complete story »
Tweedsmuir hills wind farm allowed extra time
A bid to extend the operational life of a wind farm in the Tweedsmuir hills has been approved by the Scottish government. It will allow the 14-turbine Whitelaw Brae development in the Borders to run for 30 years instead of the previously consented 25. Mountaineering Scotland (MS) criticised the original approval in 2017 as ignoring the impact on tourism in the area. The Scottish government said allowing the extension would help meet its renewable energy targets and raised no significant . . . Complete story »
Caithness wind farm plan would add 12 turbines to existing cluster of 52
Plans have been lodged with the Scottish Government for a 12-turbine wind farm near Westerdale. If the proposed Tormsdale Wind Farm goes ahead it will add to an existing cluster of 52 turbines in the surrounding area. The development, some 1500 metres south of Westerdale bridge, is being managed by Lomond Energy for Swedish wind power company Arise. The site is immediately west of the existing Causeymire Wind Farm and approximately 8.5 km south of Halkirk. The 12 turbines will . . . Complete story »
World’s largest offshore wind farm ‘unprofitable’ for Equinor, say government-funded researchers
Equinor’s investment in Dogger Bank – the world’s largest offshore wind project under construction – will be unprofitable, according to a Norwegian government-funded study. The new research raises challenging questions about the Norwegian state-controlled oil and gas giant’s energy transition strategy. The study was submitted this month to Norway’s Petroleum & Energy Ministry, which financed it as part of wider research into potential energy transition opportunities for the country. Equinor chief executive Anders Opedal set ambitious new goals in June for the . . . Complete story »
Concerns aired over ‘ring of steel’ tightening round Cairngorms National Park
Concerns over ‘the ring of steel’ forming round the Cairngorms National Park have one again been aired but planning committee members have said they are powerless to do much about it. Renewable Energy Systems (Ltd) is seeking consent for 16 turbines with a maximum height of 149.9m to the tip of the blade at Cairn Duhie north-west of Grantown. The energy giant already has permission for 20 turbines at 110 metres to tip at the same site which was granted . . . Complete story »
Wind farm company under fire over single-track Sutherland road left like a ‘patchwork quilt’
Power company SSE Renewables has been accused of leaving a Sutherland road like a “patchwork quilt” after it was used for months by wind farm construction traffic. Brora cyclist Sandy Crawford claimed that over 60 per cent of the areas damaged on the single-track Strath Brora road by Gordonbush Extension traffic have not been repaired. The former health and safety professional, who is a member of cycling club East Sutherland Wheelers, said that the road was so strewn with stones, . . . Complete story »
Firms fined £900,000 over Ayrshire wind farm worker’s death
Two firms have been fined nearly £900,000 over the death of a security worker left in freezing conditions at a wind farm in East Ayrshire. Ronnie Alexander, 74, died in January 2018 after being found face down in the snow near New Cumnock. A construction company and his employer earlier admitted breaching health and safety rules by failing to provide a reliable source of heat. His family welcomed the large fines but said it was a “bittersweet” moment. Northstone (NI) . . . Complete story »
Family of frozen New Cumnock windfarm worker welcome company fines
Two companies have been fined a total of nearly £900,000 after a wind farm security worker froze to death near New Cumnock. Ronnie Alexander was on duty at the Afton Windfarm construction site on January 21, 2018 during bad weather. The 74-year-old was found lying in the snow and later died in hospital. Today at Ayr Sheriff Court [November 17], Northstone (NI) Ltd and Corporate Service Management Ltd were fined a total of £868,800 after previously pleading guilty to failings . . . Complete story »
Moray council votes against new wind farm
A bid to build a seven-turbine wind farm near Dufftown has been rejected by Moray Council’s planning committee. Energiekontor UK Ltd submitted the application for the Garbet Wind Farm, which is about 3.5 miles south east of the town. However councillors voted against it by eight to three earlier today. There were also two abstentions. The vote ran counter to the advice of the council’s own planning officers. The officers had instead recommended that, subject to various conditions, the windfarm . . . Complete story »
Wind farm extension approved after inquiry
Plans to extend a wind farm in southern Scotland have been given the green light following a public inquiry. ScottishPower Renewables wants to add 13 turbines to its Arecleoch development near Barrhill in South Ayrshire. A council objection to the project prompted an inquiry into the scheme which straddles South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. A Scottish government reporter has now ruled that the project should be given the go-ahead. The existing wind farm consists of 60 turbines in the . . . Complete story »
