Wind Power News: Victories
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.
Skelmorlie windfarm firm ‘to consider next move’ after council rejects proposal
The firm behind a failed plan to erect 150m-tall wind turbines in the countryside have branded the rebuff a ‘missed opportunity’ to create jobs and tackle climate change. Councillors unanimously rejected the development at Rigghill, south east of Skelmorlie, after it was found to be in breach of 10 policies within a local development plan. There were also concerns raised about the impact on tourism, land around Clyde Muirshiel Park and archaeological issues. All of the community councils in the . . . Complete story »
French court orders ‘historic’ demolition of seven wind turbines
Marjolaine Villey-Migraine, of VPPN Collectif 34-12, a group of 65 associations, said the Montpellier tribunal ruling was historic: “It is a first in France and will become a precedent for future cases.” The court ordered that the 93m turbines at Bernagues in the Grands Causses in Hérault must be demolished, even if the owners launch an appeal. They started producing power in 2016 but the next year the Conseil d’Etat, France’s highest administrative court, rejected the planning permission. VPPN lawyer . . . Complete story »
Environment department says no to controversial Watson family wind farm
A proposed wind farm planned by the family of the late Bosasa chief executive Gavin Watson in an ecologically sensitive wilderness area in the Eastern Cape has been shot down by the department of environment, forestry and fisheries because it poses a “high risk” to threatened birds of prey. The 187MW wind farm was proposed to be located in the Groot Winterhoekberg, which forms part of an expansion strategy for national protected areas, between portions of the Groendal nature reserve . . . Complete story »
Permission to build five turbine wind farm at Kilranelagh refused
Wicklow County Council has refused planning permission to build a wind farm near Baltinglass. ABO Wind Limited lodged an application with the local authority seeking a ten-year grant of permission to construct five 165m wind turbines at Kilranelagh Hill. The proposal includes an electrical substation, underground cabling to connect the proposed substation to the existing substation at Stratford-on-Slaney, a 1 km heritage trail and other associated site works. The project involved land located in the townlands of Kilranelagh, Colvinstown Upper, . . . Complete story »
Wind farm developer withdraws permit requests with DEP
Broad Mountain Power LLC, the firm that wants to build a wind project on the Broad Mountain in Packer Township and Nesquehoning Borough, has withdrawn two applications it had before the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The action comes three months after the Packer Township Zoning Hearing Board on Dec. 22, by unanimous vote, denied the firm’s request for a special exception permit and also for three variances. That decision came after more than 20 hearings in the multiyear dispute. . . . Complete story »
A sigh of relief for unique historic site in West Wicklow
Fine Gael Cllr for the Baltinglass Municipal District, Avril Cronin, has welcomed the decision by Wicklow County Council to refuse planning permission for a Wind Farm on a site of great historic importance at Kilranelagh Hill, in the heart of West Wicklow . Speaking on the matter, Cllr Cronin said, “The decision to refuse planning permission for a wind farm on a site of such historic importance is a huge relief to many who wish to preserve the local heritage . . . Complete story »
Controversial Kildare wind farm refused permission
The controversial wind farm proposed for Monasterevin has been refused permission. Kildare County Council refused the application due to air corp flight path, ecological and road network concerns. Over 170 submissions were made by local residents, politicians, Kildare Failte, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and the Irish Aviation Authority. Ummeras Wind Farm Ltd (Statkraft) wants to build five 169m turbines between Rathangan and Monasterevin in the townlands of Ummeras Beg, Coolatogher, Mullaghroe Lower, Ummeras More and Coolsickin/Quinsborough. Residents raised concerns . . . Complete story »
Council orders ‘decommission and removal’ of Parteen wind turbine
Clare County Council has ordered the decommission and removal of a controversial wind turbine, which was erected a few weeks ago near the village of Parteen near the Limerick border, for “non compliance with planing permission”. The council originally granted permission in October 2011, to the named applicant, Seamus Madden, “to erect a single 800kW wind turbine, 73 metres high with a rotor diameter of 53 metres, and with ancillary road access, at Knockballynameth, Parteen” after no objections were lodged. . . . Complete story »
Owner faces bill as council orders wind turbine removal
A controversial wind turbine erected near the Clare/Limerick border is to be removed following a council order. Clare County Council has directed the decommission and removal of the turbine for “non-compliance with planning permission”. Consent was granted almost a decade ago to Seamus Madden to erect a single 800kW turbine, 73 metres high with a rotor diameter of 53 metres in Parteen. No objections were lodged, and a further extension was granted to his planning permission in 2016. It was . . . Complete story »
Farmer wins orders overturning consent for grid connection from wind farm
A farmer has won High Court orders on consent overturning a decision to grant consent to the ESB for a grid connection between a Co Cork wind farm and an electricity sub-station. Ian Collins, of Maulakieve, Bantry, had brought proceedings against An Bord Pleanála and the State aimed at overturning the decision made in June 2020. The board granted the ESB substitute consent for a 9.7km section of grid connection between the Derreenacrinning West Windfarm at Drimoleague and a sub-station . . . Complete story »
