Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
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.
We can’t afford to lose another acre of farmland
Currently, there are over 7 billion people on the face of our planet, predicted to hit the 9 billion mark by 2050 (census.gov). What does this mean in terms of food demand? In order to produce the Standard American Diet (SAD), it’s estimated that the equivalent of two football fields (3.25 acres) are required per person per year—with much of this allocated to growing the crops to feed the animals. (Lappe, Frances Moore. Diet for a Small Planet. 1982, page . . . Complete story »
Deler av vinge falt av vindturbin på Hundhammerfjellet
[Parts of a wind turbine blade have fallen off in Hundhammerfjellet.] Deler av en vinge fra en vindturbin i Hundhammerfjellet vindpark har falt av. Ødeleggelsen ble oppdaget i dag tidlig av fagfolk på stedet. Pål-Anders Dahl i NTE Energi AS opplyser at ingen skal være skadet i forbindelse med uhellet som har rammet turbin tre i Hundhammerfjellet vindpark i Nærøysund. – USIKKER ÅRSAK – Det vi vet er at en del av en turbinvinge på turbin tre har falt ned . . . Complete story »
Third windfarm granted permission for north-west Skye despite ‘significant adverse impact’ on landscape
A third windfarm in a small area of north-west Skye has been given the nod by Highland councillors, despite planners’ admission of a ‘significant adverse impact’ on the surroundings. Ben Sca wind farm will lie little more than a mile north of Edinbane, between 18 turbine Edinbane wind farm and 12 turbine Ben Aketil. Ben Sca’s seven turbines will tower more than 100ft above those of its neighbours, at almost 450ft. There have been no objections to the proposal by . . . Complete story »
Giant wind turbines could be erected throughout Co Laois
Fears have been expressed in recent days that giant wind turbines could be erected in many parts of Laois. For the past 11 years, the Ratheniska-Timahoe-Spink (RTS) Substation Action Group has opposed the development of a 400kV sub-power station at Coolnabacca in Ratheniska. The group claims that the Eirgrid/ESB €110 million Laois/Kilkenny Reinforcement Project has plans to connect to wind farms. The group mounted a round-the-clock blockade at the site for almost two years, which was stood down in 2019. . . . Complete story »
Coronavirus: Economy department officials backed wind turbine grants
Officials at the Department for the Economy believed wind turbines “should be eligible” for coronavirus payments. Fifty-two wind turbine owners in Northern Ireland received emergency coronavirus funding from Stormont. The sector was subsequently ruled ineligible, after more than £500,000 was paid. The Department of Economy said once new information came to light, “eligibility was reconsidered” to protect the public purse. New papers obtained by the BBC Nolan Show reveal that officials “could not decide” on a way to withhold payments . . . Complete story »
Power struggle: Council queries Facebook’s plans for Kilkenny wind farm
Global tech giant Facebook’s plans to use a Kilkenny wind farm to offset its Irish operation’s power usage may have hit a snag after the local authority sought confirmation on the amount of energy that will be created. Earlier this year it emerged that Facebook has chosen a site at the former Lisheen Mines near Urlingford as the location that would power its operations in Ireland. The social media giant agreed a deal with Brookfield Renewable Partners to buy the . . . Complete story »
French fishermen vow to take direct action to prevent construction of Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
French fishermen have declared that they would rather die fighting than allow a fully approved offshore wind farm to be built off Brittany, and have vowed to take direct action to prevent construction. The row has led the French wind industry to write to President Emmanuel Macron, warning that it is being “held hostage to sterile debates’ led by organisations “stirring up false fears’ about renewable energy. Leaders of the local Brittany Regional Fisheries Committee have warned they will stop . . . Complete story »
Calls for independent analysis into Viking Energy Windfarm Project
Calls for independent analysis on the progress of Viking Energy wind farm project have been made to ensure the community can trust what is presented. The SIC’s Alastair Cooper made his comments during discussions today (Wednesday) about the Shetland Windfarm Advisory Environmental Group. SWEAG’s focus is to advise both the council and developers on issues around ensuring the minimal disruption to the natural habitats . However, Mr Cooper said that without more independent analysis, the public may not trust the . . . Complete story »
More on wind farms
Carl Brothers in The Guardian (Wind will power our future, Nov. 13) challenges my thoughts on wind turbines. With respect to the cost, he claims they are now significantly cheaper than coal. I would ask, how come that wherever they have been installed in large numbers to replace coal, electricity prices have soared? In California, Germany, Denmark, and South Australia, there has been a transition to wind and solar, and prices have gone out of control. I agree with him . . . Complete story »
UK wind power contract goes overseas
Monopiles and transition pieces for the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm will be made in Poland and Belgium. The contract for manufacture and supply of monopiles and transition pieces has gone to Smulders, the Belgian subsidiary of Eiffage Métal, as part of a consortium with Sif (a Dutch company specialised in offshore foundations). As a result approximately 260,000 tonnes of steelwork for first two phases of the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm project in England will be produced in Smulders’ . . . Complete story »
