Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
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These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
France drops renewables targets, prioritises nuclear in new energy bill
Critics are deriding as a step backward a new French energy bill that favours the further development of nuclear power and avoids setting targets for solar and wind power and other renewables. France, like other EU countries, aims to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. The proposed text, which is slated to go before the cabinet early next month and then be submitted to lawmakers, reaffirms France’s commitment to nuclear power to ensure “energy sovereignty”. The country became a leader in . . . Complete story »
Extreme winter wind topples wind turbine in snowy Odesa Oblast
A nasty weather storm slammed much of Ukraine, with strong winds playing havoc in several oblasts. Odesa Oblast faced some of the most extreme conditions, with a strong gust of wind toppling a wind turbine in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky district, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported. Due to gusts of wind, frost, and freezing rain, energy networks in several oblasts have seen significant icing. The temperature in the country ranges from −5 to −20 °C (−4 – 23 °F). Southern Ukraine has seen slightly warmer . . . Complete story »
Questions raised over Blaenau Gwent wind farm plans
Questions have been asked around why so many planning applications to build wind turbines in Blaenau Gwent have been made recently. At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday, November 9, councillors were updated on several planning applications for wind farms currently being processed by Welsh Government planning inspectors at PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales). Councillors were told that that a decision on proposals by Pennant Walters Ltd for Mynydd Cefn-y-Carn is expected after . . . Complete story »
Llanhilleth windpower project assessment finds several potential negative impacts
A wind farm planned for a mountain and which would stretch across two Gwent boroughs could have a number of potential negative impacts, an assessment has found. An examination of plans for an eight-turbine development at Mynydd Llanhilleth by Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department has identified up to eight potential negative impacts should it go ahead. They range from potential noise issues impacting nearby residents and the visual impact of the turbines – that would measure up to 180 metres . . . Complete story »
Farmer ‘bribed’ with strip club visit if he ‘agreed to have wind turbine on land’
A farmer was “bribed” with a visit to a strip club if he agreed to having a wind turbine on his land, it has been claimed. The meeting minutes from a Nelson Community Council gathering, near Caerphilly, South Wales, report one resident was offered money and a night out at a lap dancing club. Major green energy companies are trying to persuade landowners across Britain to sign up for wind generators and pylons by offering them financial incentives. The minutes . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines destroyed in Ukraine by drone and gusting wind
Elementum Energy, a UK-based international investor in Ukraine’s renewable energy sector, reported damage to a wind turbine located at its wind farm in the south in a recent drone attack. “Fortunately, there were no injuries among the personnel. The National Police opened a criminal investigation into this fact. After the attack, a partial shutdown of the wind farm was initiated,” says the company’s press release provided to Energoreform by the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA), of which the company is . . . Complete story »
“Irreparable injury:” Courts order dismantling of wind farms in US, France
A pair of geographically diverse court decisions handed down in December have ordered two wind farms be dismantled, highlighting the importance for renewable energy developers of securing all necessary approvals, including environmental and social. The first court decision, handed down by the Court of Appeal in Nimes, France, has ordered the dismantling of a seven-turbine wind farm in Hérault which was built by Énergie Renouvelable du Languedoc (ERL), a subsidiary of German group New. The company now has 15 months . . . Complete story »
New bid to scuttle Robbins Island wind farm looks headed for Supreme Court
A new bid to scuttle the controversial Robbins Island wind farm proposal is headed for the Supreme Court. The appeal from long-time project opponent the Circular Head Coastal Awareness Network is against the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s recent decision to approve the wind farm. TasCAT overrode a state Environment Protection Authority condition that would have forced proponent ACEN to shut down the turbines for five months a year to protect endangered orange-bellied parrots. ACEN said that would make the . . . Complete story »
Wind farm legal action launched over wildcat fears
Plans for a new wind farm in Aberdeenshire are set to be challenged in court following concerns over the protection of wildcats. Swedish energy giant Vattenfall received the go-ahead to build a second site at Clashindarroch last year. However, conservation group Wildcat Haven believes it could endanger the local wildcat population. It has now pursued a judicial review over the approval granted by Scottish ministers. Vattenfall’s 14-turbine Clashindarroch II wind farm was approved by Scottish ministers in June last year. . . . Complete story »
Scottish wildcats: Aberdeen wind farm decision goes to judicial review
A decision by Scottish Ministers to grant planning permission for a wind farm on the habitat of an endangered species is to be challenged in a judicial review. Wildcat Haven has raised almost £250,000 through donations in four years, which is how it is funding the legal fight. Its petition to save the Clashindarroch Forest in Aberdeenshire for wildcats has racked up over one million signatures. An application for a wind farm on the site was made by Swedish company . . . Complete story »
