Wind Power News: Oceania
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.
Brooklyn wind turbine still out of action, seven months after electrical fault discovered
Seven months after an electrical fault was discovered, the Brooklyn wind turbine is still out of action, the root of the problem unknown. The turbine was built to harness Wellington’s notorious wind, but it was cold, damp weather that put it out of action. The 67-metre tall landmark’s blades haven’t turned since June, when it was taken out of service for maintenance. Meridian Energy spokeswoman Rheilli Uluilelata said there had been no further progress. “We are still investigating the electrical . . . Complete story »
Circular Head Council anticipates being ‘swamped’ over Robbins Island proposal
Circular Head Council is preparing to “be swamped” over the development application lodged for up to 122 wind turbines on Robbins Island, according to council mayor Daryl Quilliam. The development application for the contentious project was lodged by UPC Robbins Island and opened for public representations on January 15. Cr Quilliam said the council understood the community was divided on the project and as such had decided to hire a building down the street from the council chambers specifically for . . . Complete story »
Nundle’s Hills of Gold Wind Farm to be reduced by more than 200 hectares following public submissions
Five turbines and more than 200 hectares of land have been removed from the initial proposal for the Hills of Gold Wind Farm at Nundle, following more than 600 public submissions. A large number of concerns were raised within those, and ENGIE – the proponent – revealed in its response to submissions report that a number of alterations would be made to the project. It claims the changes will reduce to impacts on native vegetation by 36 per cent, and . . . Complete story »
Proposed wind farm on Jirrbal Country a concern for some
A proposal for a wind farm in North Queensland has raised concerns for some Jirrbal people who say the project does not respect the land and threatens native species. The Chalumbin Wind Farm project would see wind farm developer Epuron construct 94 wind turbines and clear 1,132 ha of land near the town of Ravenshoe. A number of online petitions to the project have been created which list concerns about the impact of a wind farm on vulnerable and endangered . . . Complete story »
Wind in the wires an unexpected glitch for generator
Work resumes at Mercury’s $465 million Turitea Wind Farm on Wednesday with activity moving to the southern, second stage of the development. The site on the Tararua Range above Palmerston North has been closed since before Christmas, apart from security and environmental checks. The northern section of 33-turbines was virtually complete, with sediment control ponds being removed and the landscape reinstated. But while that part of the project was running smoothly, the southern section, which will include 27 turbines, is . . . Complete story »
Concerned residents vow to fight proposed new Mumblin Wind Farm
A group of concerned residents have vowed to fight a proposed new wind farm in south-west Victoria. Forming the Ecklin-Elingamite-Glenfyne Community Association, around 30 residents have raised concerns about the Mumblin Wind Farm. The proposed wind farm, around eight kilometres south-west of Cobden, Vic, will consist of up to 10 60-megawatt wind turbine generators. The turbines themselves will be 250 metres in height and will produce enough power for approximately 35,000 homes. Group spokeswoman Dayle Smithwick said the group was not . . . Complete story »
Respect on Xmas wishlist for Stanley
Dear Santa, We’ve been good this year. We’ve taken out gold in Tassie’s Top Small Tourist Town, and bronze for the nation. Our local pub and accommodation offerings have won awards for best regional venues in the state, and we love welcoming cityweary travellers. We’ve opened new cafes, shops and restaurants and our beef and seafood providers are producing some of the finest produce in the state. We’ve done our homework too. We’ve learned about renewable energy zones, 200 per . . . Complete story »
Huge Tasmania wind farm faces Aboriginal cultural heritage claim
Plans to build a 340MW wind farm on Robbins Island off the north west tip of Tasmania face a major new challenge, with a push for the project to be blocked under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. A request for Robbins Island and its surrounding waters be declared a significant Aboriginal area, to be preserved and protected from injury or desecration, has been submitted to federal environment minister Sussan Ley, RenewEconomy has learned. The Aboriginal man . . . Complete story »
China-made wind turbines crack sparking outrage that they weren’t made in Australia
Chinese-made wind turbines on Australia’s biggest wind farm have cracked, sparking outrage that the project didn’t use locally made machinery. Nineteen of 40 turbines inspected at the Stockyard Hill wind farm, in Victoria’s central highlands, are defective and will take months to fix, according to the Australian Manufacturing Worker’s Union. Another 109 turbines were yet to be inspected and it was feared they could also be damaged. The massive wind farm, which is Australia’s biggest, was operating for less than . . . Complete story »
Union fury over cracks found in imported wind turbines
Cracks have been found in wind turbines imported from China for Australia’s largest wind farm, with a national union leader declaring the defects would not have happened if the Morrison government had acted to ensure they were manufactured locally. Defects have been uncovered in the turbines’ top covers, known as nacelles, imported for use at Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, 35km west of Ballarat in central Victoria. Cracks have been found in 19 of the 40 turbines inspected and there are . . . Complete story »
