Wind farm bid near planned nuclear plant
AN ENERGY company is proposing to build up to nine wind turbines just a few miles from another of its sites earmarked for a controversial new nuclear power station.
EDF Energy Renewables (EDF ER) has released plans to develop a new wind farm at Withy Farm, Puriton, near Bridgwater in Somerset.
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EDF Energy is also currently carrying out studies to support a future planning application for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, also near Bridgwater.
The nuclear proposals have met with fierce opposition from local campaigners.
EDF ER's wind farm proposals, which are still in their early stages, consist of a potential development of up to nine 2MW turbines, capable of producing enough electricity to supply the annual requirements of up to 10,000 homes.
The company said the turbines could lead to savings of around 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
Initial ecological studies of the site have begun and in the next few weeks, EDF ER hopes to apply for planning permission to install a temporary meteorological monitoring mast at the site.
The mast will gather information on weather conditions and wind-speeds, to assess how suitable the site is for the project.
A spokesman for EDF ER said it would release plans to consult with the local community in the New Year.
Dennis Garry, the company's renewables development manager for the project, said: "As a country, we face a significant energy challenge to keep the lights on, tackle climate change and maintain affordable prices.
"We believe the challenge can be met through greater energy efficiency and the generation of electricity from a diverse range of sources including nuclear and renewables. So we're very pleased to be able to announce our proposals for the site at Withy Farm."
The site for the proposed wind farm lies near Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve, an important habitat for birds and wildlife. No-one from the reserve was available to comment last night on the effect a wind farm may have.
A Somerset spokesman for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which has opposed wind farm applications elsewhere in the Westcountry, said yesterday he did not know anything about this specific proposal and was therefore unable to comment.
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by Verity, Bodmin moor
Saturday, October 24 2009, 8:08PM
“To think that teachers are using Al Gores film to brain wash your children, the lid will come of climate rubbish. Look how the IPCC world is happy that China is going to think about emmission cuts not but really do anything.
Wind farms are a waste of time.”
by Dr Phillip Bratby, Devon
Friday, October 23 2009, 6:58PM
“EdF has to build windfarms under government rules on renewables whether it likes it or not. EdF wants to build nuclear, since a new nuclear power station at Hinkley of 1600MW will provide as much electricity per year as 2800 wind turbines each of 2MW capacity . The nuclear option is reliable as it does not depend on when the wind is blowing. The environmental damage of 2800 giant wind turbines does not bear contemplating.
To use the phrase "tackle climate change" is just following the government nonsense and propaganda. The earth's climate has been changing for 4.5 billion years and we humans aren't going to have any effect on the global climate.
In any case, the world hasn't warmed for a decade, and the natural climate drivers, the sun and oceans, are both currently in a mode which will lead to a prolonged period of global cooling.”
by Bob, North Devon
Friday, October 23 2009, 3:08PM
“Henry Bince said: The court's judgement on that film was that it was 'broadly accurate', the 9 errors were errors of exaggeration rather than outright factual errors.
This rather suggests the court missed the elephant in the room; namely the Hockey Stick graph which has been regularly and consistently proved to be absolute rubbish.
Henry also said: The judgment was also 2 years ago. Things have moved on considerably since then
So why support nonesense which (a) was wrong when it was published and (b) is now irrelevant to the current debate.
I'm afraid only AGW Terrorists, like Gore (who does nicely out of the royalties), cling to this fatuous garbage.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 2:57PM
“:| Henry; I said that (some, not all) politicians are 'deceitful and those who are (will be) profiting from Wind ' farms'. . Presumably your wife is out and you haven't got anyone else to argue with. . It must be very difficult for you now being a Socialist. . Why don't you just blame the bankers?. . That's what Gordon's doing.”
by henry blince, devon
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 7:32AM
“The court's judgement on that film was that it was 'broadly accurate', the 9 errors were errors of exaggeration rather than outright factual errors. The judgment was also 2 years ago. Things have moved on considerably since then.
I fail to see, Charles, how politicians make money out of windfarms. Perhaps you could explain?”