Wind Farm at Nocton Fen

Vattenfall lifts lid in Lincs

Swedish utility Vattenfall is investigating a possible 50MW-plus wind farm in the east of England.

The company said today it is in the early stages of development for a project at Nocton Fen in North Kesteven District, Lincolnshire.

http://renews.biz/51825/vattenfall-lifts-lid-in-lincs/

BBC Look North (6.26 am - 14th October 2013)

"An energy company is to investigate the potential for a wind farm in Lincolnshire. Swedish utility company, Vattenfall, says an initial study at Nocton Fen revealed that up to 23 wind turbines could sit on the site. They will spend the next few weeks talking to local communities."

The spokesperson for Vattenfall, Jason Ormiston said:
"Any suggestion of a wind farm of this nature, it's natural that people would have concerns about that... but we are at a very early stage and we want to have that conversation with people, understand what their fears are. Hopefully we can allay those fears and we can do this by listening to people and designing a wind farm that responds to those concerns."

Vattenfall

"Vattenfall's vision is to create a strong and diversified European energy portfolio with sustainable and increased profits, significant growth options and will be among the leaders in developing environmentally sustainable energy production."

Press Release re: Nocton Fen

Vattenfall’s Project Manager Graham Davey said: “Vattenfall is at the very earliest stages of assessing the potential of a wind farm at Nocton Fen. This phase is all about identifying issues and opportunities; that is why we will start by engaging with the local community, local representatives, other key interests and national environmental organisations.”

Nocton Fen - Exploring the Wind Energy Potential

"There will be many opportunities for the community to get involved, share ideas, and talk to the team over the coming months. Information will be circulated as widely as possible locally in the coming weeks. To ensure you stay up to date with the latest news, development and discussions relating to Nocton Fen, please visit and register your interest in the project here."

http://www.vattenfall.co.uk/en/nocton-fen.htm

http://www.vattenfall.co.uk/en/file/2013-10-10-Nocton_Fen_map.pdf_44158122.pdf

Nocton Fen earmarked as potential wind farm

'Feasibility study carried out.'

http://www.lincsfm.co.uk/news/local-news/nocton-fen-earmarked-as-potential-wind-farm/

Wind Farms

This is a link to an earlier blog entry about wind farms. You may be interested in the Press Release from another company, Renewable Energy Systems, which looked at the feasibility of erecting wind turbines on Nocton Fen back in 2004... and decided against it!

Wind Turbine Poll Fiasco

“It is true that large, industrial-scale wind turbines in the open countryside are unpopular. Locally, we had a successful campaign against 36 turbines in Nocton and subsequently I helped draw up the reasonably balanced policy on wind power, first completed about two years ago.  It does not suggest a “blanket ban”, but a more thoughtful approach..."

Councillor Marianne Overton

http://www.lincolnshireindependents.org/windturbinepollfiasco.html

Number of planned new onshore wind farms has doubled since 2011

Record numbers of onshore wind farms have been approved for construction this year as power companies cash in on hundreds of millions of pounds in subsidies.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/10375167/Number-of-planned-new-onshore-wind-farms-has-doubled-since-2011.html

The Winds of Change

'There’s a new wind blowing across Europe. Windpower is predominantly located in Germany, Denmark and Spain, and a recent European Union report predicted wind will power Europe’s demands several times over before 2020.'

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2105601/the_winds_of_change.html

Wind Farms

Blowing winds of change through rural landscapes

An energy firm selected Nocton Fen as a site where it wanted to build a 34-turbine wind farm... this was reported in the Lincolnshire Echo on 19 February 2004. Could this happen again? You bet!

Concern Over Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit [JPU] Wind Farm Policy and Practice

The JPU has identified areas of Central Lincolnshire suitable for large-scale wind farm development. 

It would appear that the selection is based on identifying 'windy areas' [which in effect is most of Central Lincolnshire - see the map included in the Appendices]

Heckington wind farm plans given go-ahead by Government

'The decision by the Department of Energy and Climate Change follows an appeal after the plans were turned down by North Kesteven District Council.'

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Heckington-wind-farm-plans-given-ahead-Government/story-18090359-detail/story.html

Military radar deal paves way for more wind farms across Britain

'Thousands more wind turbines can now be built across Britain after energy companies struck behind-the-scenes deals to overcome military objections to wind farms.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/8726922/Military-radar-deal-paves-way-for-more-wind-farms-across-Britain.html

Farmer tells court 'noise from wind turbines is not a nuisance'

'A FARMER whose land sites three of the wind turbines at the centre of a test case court battle over alleged noise nuisance claims the only sound he heard from them was the "steady swish" of their blades.'

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Farmer-tells-court-noise-wind-turbines-nuisance/story-12994891-detail/story.html

Green energy... just how green?

A large wind turbine may contain 500 lbs of a 'rare earth', called neodymium, in the manufacture of its magnets. This rare earth is mined in China (predominantly 97%) and distributed throughout the World.

China is expected to reduce exports of rare earth, to protect supply to its own rapidly growing industries, and costs are rising.

Contamination from mining wastes continues to blight many areas.

NGM June 2011

Lincolnshire County Council urged not to turn its back on wind turbines

'Opposition councillors say Lincolnshire's biggest  authority should 'show leadership' in identifying future energy sources... after Conservative-led county council recommends no new large-scale wind farms are built within 2km of homes.'

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincolnshire-County-Council-urged-turn-wind/story-18274683-detail/story.html