Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm plugs into the national grid
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| LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMED: The turbines at Eaglesham Moor will dominate 15 miles of the skyline south of Glasgow. Whitelee wind farm is due to be completed by summer 2009. Picture: Martin Shields |
Europe's largest onshore wind farm goes on stream from today, with the first 10 turbines of the planned 140 now producing enough electricity to power 13,000 homes.
After a five-year delay in the planning system and 18 months of site preparation,
the Whitelee wind farm on Eaglesham Moor to the south of Glasgow is finally feeding the national grid.
By the end of the month, a further 10 turbines currently going through a two-week test drive will have been switched on, with the entire project due for completion by the summer of next year.
At that stage Whitelee, with an overall output of over 320 megawatts, will be generating enough power for over 180,000 homes.
According to ScottishPower, the project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 650,000 tonnes a year, the equivalent to the output of 240,000 cars.
Although the debate over the environmental benefits and impact of wind farms on Scotland's landscape shows little sign of abating, with
campaign groups and some politicians remaining fundamentally opposed to them, the feat of engineering involved in a construction site the energy giant claims is the size of the city of Glasgow is impressive.
More than 90km of roads have been laid and bridges constructed to allow the transportation of the 200ft turbines, which are over 300ft to the tip of the blade, across boggy moorland.
Once up, they will dominate 15 miles of skyline over four local authority areas, visible to around 1.5 million people daily.
The rate at which the eight-piece turbines will be erected will pick up momentum during the summer months, with construction teams expecting a rate of two per week.
Ironically, the biggest enemy of the timetable is the wind.
Those constructed have a top rotation speed of 17 revolutions per minute, the size of the blades masking the deceptively high speed of 150mph, while each structure has the capability of turning 360 degrees to harness as much wind as possible.
Foundations are dug over 30ft until excavation teams get beyond the peat to hard ground, at which stage foundations are laid and turbines erected in grids from east to west.
ScottishPower's wind farm nerve centre is already based on the site, monitoring the energy generation and output of its other wind farms. Much of the workforce is Danish, employed by the turbine manufacturers Siemens.
The construction teams have also had to work around the reservoir providing water supplies to the Kilmarnock area, with any spillage incurring hefty fines, while a monument to the Covenanters has been preserved.
Despite Eaglesham Moor lacking the natural beauty of most of Scotland, the wind farm still has its detractors.
Campaign group Views of Scotland, whose opinions are echoed by Tory MEP Struan Stevenson, says it will have no environmental benefits, claiming the carbon emissions from the peat digging far outweigh those prevented, while the greater Glasgow area will be turned into "the world's biggest part-time power station".
It also claims the UK and Scottish Government are subsidising the "trashing" of Scotland's landscape by giving energy firms money to construct wind farms and meet certain targets.
But last month the Scottish Government produced a report called Economic Impacts of Wind Farms on Scottish Tourism, which highlighted that three-quarters of tourists surveyed believed that wind farms had a positive
or neutral effect on the
landscape.
The government claimed that its "overall conclusion is that the effects are so small that, provided planning and marketing are carried out effectively, there is no reason why the two are incompatible".
Once completed, ScottishPower will open the entire 55sq km moorland site to ramblers, mountain bikers, birdwatchers and the curious, connecting the newly laid onsite road network with existing tracks and paths, offering spectacular views of central Scotland right up to the West Highlands and even providing shower facilities.
In addition, it is spending several million pounds on a visitor centre, which will include an education hub providing information on the operation of wind farms and renewable energy generation.
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Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 11:04pm Sun 6 Apr 08
Fantastic News
With Glendoe Hydro, this Eaglesham Development and the proposals by Glasgow City Council to power all streetlights from an indepedennt wind farm outside the city, Scotland's Largest City is well on the way to helping Scotland meet it's national targets.
And we haven't even started to construct a north sea interconnector yet, watch this space for Scotland's future economic revival in green energy production and carbon capture oil exploration.
Fantastic News
With Glendoe Hydro, this Eaglesham Development and the proposals by Glasgow City Council to power all streetlights from an indepedennt wind farm outside the city, Scotland's Largest City is well on the way to helping Scotland meet it's national targets.
And we haven't even started to construct a north sea interconnector yet, watch this space for Scotland's future economic revival in green energy production and carbon capture oil exploration.
Posted by: Kiera Hardie on 12:58am Mon 7 Apr 08
I don't know how Wardog can describe Eaglesham as "Scotland's Largest City" but it's great to learn that this development is speeding along.
The only black spot on the horizon is the fact that the Scottish Ministers are "minded" to refuse permission for the big developments in Lewis. They need to get their backsides into gear on this and make a decision in the national interest, not one that might help some individual elected members in their seats at the next election. Someone needs to tell them that the clearances are ended and the highlands and islands are open for business and ready to produce, and not just a wilderness for toffs to go shootin' and fishin'.
I don't know how Wardog can describe Eaglesham as "Scotland's Largest City" but it's great to learn that this development is speeding along.
The only black spot on the horizon is the fact that the Scottish Ministers are "minded" to refuse permission for the big developments in Lewis. They need to get their backsides into gear on this and make a decision in the national interest, not one that might help some individual elected members in their seats at the next election. Someone needs to tell them that the clearances are ended and the highlands and islands are open for business and ready to produce, and not just a wilderness for toffs to go shootin' and fishin'.
Posted by: Guga, Rockall on 7:21am Mon 7 Apr 08
Keira, with regard to the proposed turbines in the Isle of Lewis, they want to have around 180 turbines, each 487 feet high, spread out over the island, and totally ruining the environment. These turbines will be able to be seen from most parts of the island.
It will also involve the construction of 80 miles of roads, none of which will be going where they are needed. We have been after six miles of road from Skigersta to Tolsta for nearly 100 years, but there is no chance that will be built.
In addition, all this power will not be available to the islanders. It is for transmission to England, and all the money made from it will go to an English company. The islanders will not benefit in any way from this proposed development. We will still have to put up with the regular power cuts we suffer. Nor will the islanders benefit from any reduction in power prices.
They talk about jobs, but most of the construction jobs will go to mainland companies, and mainland workers; and, if it is anything like the large turbine set-up in Wales, it will only involve three jobs to look after them. In the case in Wales, two of these jobs were given to Englishmen, and one to a Welshman.
We are not a wilderness, nor are we a backwater for the production of power for the English. Scotland already produces an excess of power. If the English need power, then they should build these massive turbines in England. I would suggest they spread them across London; though all the Nimbys there would complain bitterly.
I would also suggest that if you are so keen on massive turbines, you offer your backyard for at least one of them. Stop trying to offload these monstrosities on the islandewrs, 85% of whom do not want them.
Keira, with regard to the proposed turbines in the Isle of Lewis, they want to have around 180 turbines, each 487 feet high, spread out over the island, and totally ruining the environment. These turbines will be able to be seen from most parts of the island.
It will also involve the construction of 80 miles of roads, none of which will be going where they are needed. We have been after six miles of road from Skigersta to Tolsta for nearly 100 years, but there is no chance that will be built.
In addition, all this power will not be available to the islanders. It is for transmission to England, and all the money made from it will go to an English company. The islanders will not benefit in any way from this proposed development. We will still have to put up with the regular power cuts we suffer. Nor will the islanders benefit from any reduction in power prices.
They talk about jobs, but most of the construction jobs will go to mainland companies, and mainland workers; and, if it is anything like the large turbine set-up in Wales, it will only involve three jobs to look after them. In the case in Wales, two of these jobs were given to Englishmen, and one to a Welshman.
We are not a wilderness, nor are we a backwater for the production of power for the English. Scotland already produces an excess of power. If the English need power, then they should build these massive turbines in England. I would suggest they spread them across London; though all the Nimbys there would complain bitterly.
I would also suggest that if you are so keen on massive turbines, you offer your backyard for at least one of them. Stop trying to offload these monstrosities on the islandewrs, 85% of whom do not want them.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 8:26am Mon 7 Apr 08
Guga, Rockall on 7:21am today
What do you make of the Scottish Government's consultation exercise into community benefit from these energy developments. If for instance (and they aren't proposing it) the population of Lewis were to receive subsidised energy,
[italic]i.e. payback on the generation of the power to an extent where energy bills were rendered null[/italic]
Would this be seen as an incentive?
Only asking, as it seems to have worked a treat in Gigha and some other mainland communities.
Guga, Rockall on 7:21am today
What do you make of the Scottish Government's consultation exercise into community benefit from these energy developments. If for instance (and they aren't proposing it) the population of Lewis were to receive subsidised energy,
i.e. payback on the generation of the power to an extent where energy bills were rendered null
Would this be seen as an incentive?
Only asking, as it seems to have worked a treat in Gigha and some other mainland communities.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 8:31am Mon 7 Apr 08
Kiera Hardie on 12:58am today
Did you hear about the Glagsow scheme for street lights
[italic]www.glasgow.gov.uk/e
n/YourCouncil/Servic
eDepartments/Landand
EnvironmentalService
s/windfarmproposal.h
tm[/italic]
It sounds like a great idea for all of our major cities, each city investing in power generation to cover the running of their street lamps and eventually to power all of their vehicles...... leading the way!
;-)
[italic]
'Powering 180,000 homes when complete'
Glasgow 'Scotland's Largest City' being 16km away...[/italic]
Glendoe Hydro powers the equivalent of 250,000 homes.....
[bold]Scotland is doing well, more power tae wir elbows![/bold]
Kiera Hardie on 12:58am today
Did you hear about the Glagsow scheme for street lights
www.glasgow.gov.uk/e
n/YourCouncil/Servic
eDepartments/Landand
EnvironmentalService
s/windfarmproposal.h
tm
It sounds like a great idea for all of our major cities, each city investing in power generation to cover the running of their street lamps and eventually to power all of their vehicles...... leading the way!
;-)
'Powering 180,000 homes when complete'
Glasgow 'Scotland's Largest City' being 16km away...
Glendoe Hydro powers the equivalent of 250,000 homes.....
Scotland is doing well, more power tae wir elbows!
Posted by: Kiera Hardie on 8:34am Mon 7 Apr 08
Guga's post is clearly influenced by anti-English feeling and displays an odd attitude to the nature of electrical energy.
The turbines will be beautiful and it is fine that they will be visible, in the way that the Forth Bridge is visible to many in the Lothians and Fife. The fact that the construction works won't lead to a set of roads being built is no argument for not building turbines. It also won't lead to jetpacks being given to all residents or a Tesco's in Tarbert - so what?
The idea that all the power won't be given to the islanders, and is intended for "the English" (you can just hear the contemptuous spit there!) is particularly bizarre. It's electricity - electrons - and it doesn't come in buckets - and will be connected to the national grid. It will contribute to the national supply and diversity in national energy supply and national reduction of deependence on fossil and niuclear fuel. These are Good Things. You can't, as you probably would want to, label electrons only for certain people - it's like a BNP supporter carrying an organ donor card saying his kidneys are only for white people. (I hope I'm not giving Mr Salmond ideas here).
Your nonsense about numbers of jobs is very misleading as well as chauvinist and racist - no doubt someone else with time to do so will refute this elegantly and effectively.
I don't imagine they'll put a big turbine in my back green, though they could fit a wee one - the Council wants to build turbines to power our street lights and traffic lights. I can see a new cancer hospital and a general hospital from the kitchen window, and right glad I am to see these. They're not beautiful, I hope never to need to use them myself, maybe some English people may end up benefiting from them, and no doubt people would prefer the two years of construction disruption not to happen, but that is progress.
Guga's post is clearly influenced by anti-English feeling and displays an odd attitude to the nature of electrical energy.
The turbines will be beautiful and it is fine that they will be visible, in the way that the Forth Bridge is visible to many in the Lothians and Fife. The fact that the construction works won't lead to a set of roads being built is no argument for not building turbines. It also won't lead to jetpacks being given to all residents or a Tesco's in Tarbert - so what?
The idea that all the power won't be given to the islanders, and is intended for "the English" (you can just hear the contemptuous spit there!) is particularly bizarre. It's electricity - electrons - and it doesn't come in buckets - and will be connected to the national grid. It will contribute to the national supply and diversity in national energy supply and national reduction of deependence on fossil and niuclear fuel. These are Good Things. You can't, as you probably would want to, label electrons only for certain people - it's like a BNP supporter carrying an organ donor card saying his kidneys are only for white people. (I hope I'm not giving Mr Salmond ideas here).
Your nonsense about numbers of jobs is very misleading as well as chauvinist and racist - no doubt someone else with time to do so will refute this elegantly and effectively.
I don't imagine they'll put a big turbine in my back green, though they could fit a wee one - the Council wants to build turbines to power our street lights and traffic lights. I can see a new cancer hospital and a general hospital from the kitchen window, and right glad I am to see these. They're not beautiful, I hope never to need to use them myself, maybe some English people may end up benefiting from them, and no doubt people would prefer the two years of construction disruption not to happen, but that is progress.
Posted by: Bill, Blantyre on 9:00am Mon 7 Apr 08
Good to see these projects initiated by the previous Executive bring completed and contributing to our energy needs. When will this current SNP Executive start similar projects? Action, not slogans are
required.
Good to see these projects initiated by the previous Executive bring completed and contributing to our energy needs. When will this current SNP Executive start similar projects? Action, not slogans are
required.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:29am Mon 7 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
Good to see these projects initiated by the previous Executive bring completed and contributing to our energy needs. When will this current SNP Executive start similar projects? Action, not slogans are
required.[/quote]
Soon enough Bill
Agree that we need more action, lee talk from the Scottish Government, but raising the stakes by simplifying Planning Legislation and Appeals, looking at macro economic interconnector projects will all start to bera fruits....
bear in mind these 'initiatives' started by the last executive were started nearly 5-6 years ago. It is an unacceptably long gestation period for nationally and dare I say it globally important projects.
Bill wrote:
Good to see these projects initiated by the previous Executive bring completed and contributing to our energy needs. When will this current SNP Executive start similar projects? Action, not slogans are
required.
Soon enough Bill
Agree that we need more action, lee talk from the Scottish Government, but raising the stakes by simplifying Planning Legislation and Appeals, looking at macro economic interconnector projects will all start to bera fruits....
bear in mind these 'initiatives' started by the last executive were started nearly 5-6 years ago. It is an unacceptably long gestation period for nationally and dare I say it globally important projects.
Posted by: Mandy Pumps, Glasgow on 10:13am Mon 7 Apr 08
It seems to be taking 5-6 years to get a windfarm project from concept to delivery and most of that period is consultation and planning with the Scottish Ministers dragging their heels through it all. Will the same protracted period be applied by the Scottish Ministers when looking at Trump's playground or will the priority change. Scotland needs more power and less trump
It seems to be taking 5-6 years to get a windfarm project from concept to delivery and most of that period is consultation and planning with the Scottish Ministers dragging their heels through it all. Will the same protracted period be applied by the Scottish Ministers when looking at Trump's playground or will the priority change. Scotland needs more power and less trump
Posted by: daveymac, web on 10:40am Mon 7 Apr 08
Bill, Blantyre,
The SNP have already announced its macro plans for the next decades, including the required upgrading of all existing interconnectors. Just because you are unaware does not mean there is not action.
The SNP can be accused of many things but 'inaction' (at least compared to previous administrations) is not an attribute that come to mind.
Planning is a major problem and Labour have also been hit by this. The planning currently in place has measures and controls for large scale Nuclear/Coal/Gas fired power stations and this is killing everything. Admittedly flawed large scale projects such as that proposed on Lewis needs careful and full planning and public consultation. Most Wind projects do not.
Amazingly it is the planning hurdles that are hurting most of Scotlands Energy projects of all types.
Lastly, can you imagine the scenario if planning control were handed back to Westmonster? Just think of the road blocks that could be put on projects not in the UKs Nuclear focus, or their interest etc etc regardless of what the Scottish parliament might want. Meanwhile Trident and other developments that we don't want would get the green light faster than you can say "closed door EDF ministerial meetings".
Therefore no matter what is put on "Wendys Commision to Review" if planning is proposed to be handed back, then it is a non starter.
Bill, Blantyre,
The SNP have already announced its macro plans for the next decades, including the required upgrading of all existing interconnectors. Just because you are unaware does not mean there is not action.
The SNP can be accused of many things but 'inaction' (at least compared to previous administrations) is not an attribute that come to mind.
Planning is a major problem and Labour have also been hit by this. The planning currently in place has measures and controls for large scale Nuclear/Coal/Gas fired power stations and this is killing everything. Admittedly flawed large scale projects such as that proposed on Lewis needs careful and full planning and public consultation. Most Wind projects do not.
Amazingly it is the planning hurdles that are hurting most of Scotlands Energy projects of all types.
Lastly, can you imagine the scenario if planning control were handed back to Westmonster? Just think of the road blocks that could be put on projects not in the UKs Nuclear focus, or their interest etc etc regardless of what the Scottish parliament might want. Meanwhile Trident and other developments that we don't want would get the green light faster than you can say "closed door EDF ministerial meetings".
Therefore no matter what is put on "Wendys Commision to Review" if planning is proposed to be handed back, then it is a non starter.
Posted by: daveymac, web on 10:42am Mon 7 Apr 08
Bill, Blantyre,
The SNP have already announced its macro plans for the next decades, including the required upgrading of all existing interconnectors. Just because you are unaware does not mean there is not action.
The SNP can be accused of many things but 'inaction' (at least compared to previous administrations) is not an attribute that come to mind.
Planning is a major problem and Labour have also been hit by this. The planning currently in place has measures and controls for large scale Nuclear/Coal/Gas fired power stations and this is killing everything. Admittedly flawed large scale projects such as that proposed on Lewis needs careful and full planning and public consultation. Most Wind projects do not.
Amazingly it is the planning hurdles that are hurting most of Scotlands Energy projects of all types.
Lastly, can you imagine the scenario if planning control were handed back to Westmonster? Just think of the road blocks that could be put on projects not in the UKs Nuclear focus, or their interest etc etc regardless of what the Scottish parliament might want. Meanwhile Trident and other developments that we don't want would get the green light faster than you can say "closed door EDF ministerial meetings".
Therefore no matter what is put on "Wendys Commision to Review" if planning is proposed to be handed back, then it is a non starter.
Bill, Blantyre,
The SNP have already announced its macro plans for the next decades, including the required upgrading of all existing interconnectors. Just because you are unaware does not mean there is not action.
The SNP can be accused of many things but 'inaction' (at least compared to previous administrations) is not an attribute that come to mind.
Planning is a major problem and Labour have also been hit by this. The planning currently in place has measures and controls for large scale Nuclear/Coal/Gas fired power stations and this is killing everything. Admittedly flawed large scale projects such as that proposed on Lewis needs careful and full planning and public consultation. Most Wind projects do not.
Amazingly it is the planning hurdles that are hurting most of Scotlands Energy projects of all types.
Lastly, can you imagine the scenario if planning control were handed back to Westmonster? Just think of the road blocks that could be put on projects not in the UKs Nuclear focus, or their interest etc etc regardless of what the Scottish parliament might want. Meanwhile Trident and other developments that we don't want would get the green light faster than you can say "closed door EDF ministerial meetings".
Therefore no matter what is put on "Wendys Commision to Review" if planning is proposed to be handed back, then it is a non starter.
Posted by: Guga, Rockall on 11:18am Mon 7 Apr 08
Keira, you don't live on the islands, so your environment is not going to be despoiled by 487 foot high turbines littered all over the place.
As I stated, the power is required by the English, not by Scotland, and not by the islanders. Why, therefore, should we be disadvantaged to provide power for foreigners?
If the English need the power, they can readily build these turbines in England. This would also overcome massive transmissions losses, They can build them down the spine of the Pennines, on the South Downs, or in the middle of London. Scotland is not some waste ground to be used and abused for the sole benefit of foreigners. We've had enough of that in the past, from things like war surplus being dumped in our waters to biological and chemical warfare testing in Scotland. Did you know that, for example, that in the 1950's they were proposing to clear the population out from the Wick area to test their atomic bomb triggers. We were only saved from that potential disaster by Bob Menzies offering the use of Woomera for that purpose.
We, the islanders, do not want our island despoiled by having these monstrosities. They will not be connected to the grid on the island as the proposal is for a subsea line to carry the power away from here, and we will still have our regular power cuts. We will not benefit financially in any way, not even to the extent of having cheaper power, or in any jobs.
Do you think, for example, that the islanders on the Channel Islands would agree to a similar proposal, purely to supply power to London. No, they would not. they would be up in arms about their islands being despoiled when there was absolutely no benefit to them. Likewise, do you think the English would agree to the South Downs being littered with turbines to supply power to the French?
Get real, and stop proposing to ruin our environment. You don't live here, so you should keep your nose out of it. What right do you think you have to want to treat these islands as a wasteground? I think I might propose using your backyard as a nuclear dumping ground. How does that grab you? You'd soon be complaining, wouldn't you?
Keira, you don't live on the islands, so your environment is not going to be despoiled by 487 foot high turbines littered all over the place.
As I stated, the power is required by the English, not by Scotland, and not by the islanders. Why, therefore, should we be disadvantaged to provide power for foreigners?
If the English need the power, they can readily build these turbines in England. This would also overcome massive transmissions losses, They can build them down the spine of the Pennines, on the South Downs, or in the middle of London. Scotland is not some waste ground to be used and abused for the sole benefit of foreigners. We've had enough of that in the past, from things like war surplus being dumped in our waters to biological and chemical warfare testing in Scotland. Did you know that, for example, that in the 1950's they were proposing to clear the population out from the Wick area to test their atomic bomb triggers. We were only saved from that potential disaster by Bob Menzies offering the use of Woomera for that purpose.
We, the islanders, do not want our island despoiled by having these monstrosities. They will not be connected to the grid on the island as the proposal is for a subsea line to carry the power away from here, and we will still have our regular power cuts. We will not benefit financially in any way, not even to the extent of having cheaper power, or in any jobs.
Do you think, for example, that the islanders on the Channel Islands would agree to a similar proposal, purely to supply power to London. No, they would not. they would be up in arms about their islands being despoiled when there was absolutely no benefit to them. Likewise, do you think the English would agree to the South Downs being littered with turbines to supply power to the French?
Get real, and stop proposing to ruin our environment. You don't live here, so you should keep your nose out of it. What right do you think you have to want to treat these islands as a wasteground? I think I might propose using your backyard as a nuclear dumping ground. How does that grab you? You'd soon be complaining, wouldn't you?
Posted by: nabodican, Rural Scotland on 11:37am Mon 7 Apr 08
This has to be one of the worst disasters to be inflicted on Scotland.
When is this wind madness going to stop?
These claims on emission savings are a complete lie as are the claimed number of homes the windfarm can power.
We already have around a thousand wind turbines in Scotland and to date not a single tonne less coal has been burned at Longannet or Cockenzie. This is because the boilers cannot react quick enough according to the vagaries of the wind - the excess steam is simply vented off.
This project is about money only - the windfarm owners get double the price of electricty due to ROCS.
How any project that covers such a large area, constructs over 50 miles of roads and dumps in excess of 280,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete in the ground can be called clean and green is beyond me.
I see however that the mouthpieces of the wind industry got in early on these posts.
A classic example of corporate greed conning the masses!!!!
This has to be one of the worst disasters to be inflicted on Scotland.
When is this wind madness going to stop?
These claims on emission savings are a complete lie as are the claimed number of homes the windfarm can power.
We already have around a thousand wind turbines in Scotland and to date not a single tonne less coal has been burned at Longannet or Cockenzie. This is because the boilers cannot react quick enough according to the vagaries of the wind - the excess steam is simply vented off.
This project is about money only - the windfarm owners get double the price of electricty due to ROCS.
How any project that covers such a large area, constructs over 50 miles of roads and dumps in excess of 280,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete in the ground can be called clean and green is beyond me.
I see however that the mouthpieces of the wind industry got in early on these posts.
A classic example of corporate greed conning the masses!!!!
Posted by: Buckpool Loon, Cheshire on 12:49pm Mon 7 Apr 08
There is a huge gap between the words potential and factual. Potentially these turbines may be capable of supplying 180,000 homes but that's only if all of them are working at maximim efficiency and, engineering gremlins asside, they have a constancy of wind at an optimum speed to achieve that.
Add the nebulous wind factor to the points raised by Nobodican and Guga, it would seem sensible to me that any planned erection of large wind power project should be put on hold untill the performance of Eaglesham can be properly monitered and evaluated over a two year cycle.
In my opinion wind power is a knee jerk reaction that will have a minor impact on power generation but leave blots on the landscapes for generations.
There is a huge gap between the words potential and factual. Potentially these turbines may be capable of supplying 180,000 homes but that's only if all of them are working at maximim efficiency and, engineering gremlins asside, they have a constancy of wind at an optimum speed to achieve that.
Add the nebulous wind factor to the points raised by Nobodican and Guga, it would seem sensible to me that any planned erection of large wind power project should be put on hold untill the performance of Eaglesham can be properly monitered and evaluated over a two year cycle.
In my opinion wind power is a knee jerk reaction that will have a minor impact on power generation but leave blots on the landscapes for generations.
Posted by: nonniemin, West Midlands on 4:35pm Mon 7 Apr 08
I find Kiera's tone offensive. I am English and proud of it, and I dont see anything wrong if people in Scotland find it inequitable for them to be expected to sacrifice their landscape and peaceful existence in order to supply energy to England. As the previous contributor has already said Scotland does more than its share . It creates more energy than it uses and exports the excess to the rest of the UK.
To try to subdue argument by waving the racist card is immoral. Does Keira expect Scotland to stand mute and just keep pumping energy south, no matter what the cost to its environment, whilst England continues it wasteful, ever increasing energy use.
Myself and many others in England have a great love and respect for Scotland. We value its glorious landscape and have only ever experienced a warm welcome from its people.
There is nothing racist in saying "enough". Insenstive comments which ignore the problems these turbines are inflicting on Scottish people, could very well provoke the rascist backlash about which she seems so worried.
I find Kiera's tone offensive. I am English and proud of it, and I dont see anything wrong if people in Scotland find it inequitable for them to be expected to sacrifice their landscape and peaceful existence in order to supply energy to England. As the previous contributor has already said Scotland does more than its share . It creates more energy than it uses and exports the excess to the rest of the UK.
To try to subdue argument by waving the racist card is immoral. Does Keira expect Scotland to stand mute and just keep pumping energy south, no matter what the cost to its environment, whilst England continues it wasteful, ever increasing energy use.
Myself and many others in England have a great love and respect for Scotland. We value its glorious landscape and have only ever experienced a warm welcome from its people.
There is nothing racist in saying "enough". Insenstive comments which ignore the problems these turbines are inflicting on Scottish people, could very well provoke the rascist backlash about which she seems so worried.
Posted by: andrew mackay, www.greenheating.com on 7:12pm Mon 7 Apr 08
This, unfortunately, is just more of the wrong kind of electricity. When will people realise that this is the biggest con trick ever.
The right kind of electricity is secure base load electricity - nothing short of this will do
This, unfortunately, is just more of the wrong kind of electricity. When will people realise that this is the biggest con trick ever.
The right kind of electricity is secure base load electricity - nothing short of this will do
Posted by: Kiera Hardie on 7:42pm Mon 7 Apr 08
[quote]I find Kiera's tone offensive.... whilst England continues it wasteful, ever increasing energy use.[/quote] Could this be the first self-hating Englishperson?!
I find Kiera's tone offensive.... whilst England continues it wasteful, ever increasing energy use.
Could this be the first self-hating Englishperson?!
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