Protesters' helicopter stunt shows MPs height of wind farm
A HELICOPTER and flares were used in dramatic fashion to promote the campaign against a wind farm near Baumber.
The stunt by Baumber Windfarm Action Group (BWAG) aimed to highlight just how high the turbines would stand if approved.
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Campaigners against the wind farm in Baumber were joined by MPs Sir Peter Tapsell and Edward Leigh.
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A helicopter climbed hundreds of feet to show how wind turbines could stand at 278ft to the hub, with rotors at a diameter of 295ft.
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Baumber Windfarm Action Group vice chairman Greg Roberts and chairman Melvin Grosvenor show MP Sir Peter Tapsell the area the windfarm would cover.
The proposal by Enertrag UK for land at Chase Farm would see eight turbines standing up to 85m (278ft) high to the hub, with rotors up to 90m (295ft)in diameter.
MP for Louth and Horncastle Sir Peter Tapsell and MP for Gainsborough Edward Leigh were invited by the campaigners to watch a helicopter climb to the proposed height of the turbines.
Melvin Grosvenor, the chairman of BWAG, said turbines that high would ruin the area.
He said: "Even if the planning application is submitted in November as we expect, we will be relentless in highlighting the devastating impact of this inappropriate proposal so close to the Lincolnshire Wolds.
"This area is the jewel in the crown of Lincolnshire – one of the very few unspoilt areas left in the whole country.
"These are also among the largest land-based turbines in the UK. They will be visible across a colossal distance from Boston, Sleaford, Lincoln and Market Rasen and will devastate this beautiful landscape.
"We are not against renewable energy, but the best place for these huge turbines is offshore, where they generate seven times more power and are able to utilise the offshore winds, rather than the intermittent wind onshore, that is either too strong or insufficient."
The plans are expected to go before East Lindsey District Council in November.
BWAG is also looking into potential new wind farms close to Horncastle and Woodhall Spa, at Mareham on the Hill and near Martin Fen.
Mr Grosvenor added: "Lincolnshire is being targeted relentlessly by these wind energy companies. Sadly the county is in danger of losing its unique character of tranquilly and its historical mantel of bomber county to become a turbine county.
"If this and other proposals get pushed through, the open skies of Lincolnshire will be lost forever to a mass of whirling blades, providing no real benefit to the local and county's economy."
David Linley, manager of projects at Enertrag UK, said: "We are currently in the process of completing the Enviromental Impact Assessment process at the moment which should be completed by the end of the year. That takes place before the planning application is submitted.
"Wind turbines operate onshore for approximately 90 per cent of the time and if the machines were running 24 hours a day, seven days a week we would expect them to work at between 35-40 per cent capacity.
"We always select areas that are none designated for any landscape value. People need to look beyond their own backyard. These developments have benefits for the county, country and world as a whole. There are environmental benefits that extend beyond Baumber."
BWAG has set up a website, at www.bwag.co.uk The Enertrag UK website can be found at www.enertraguk.com
2 Comments
by Roma Beardsell, Brooke Norfolk
Sunday, January 11 2009, 6:10PM
“For those that may be interested in a campaign that seems to mirror this one against an Enertrag application in Norfolk, please visit w w w.showt.org.uk.
The letters both for and against the application can be viewed on the South Norfolk Council website, following the links for South Norfolk Council¿s online planning system at w w w.south-norfolk.gov.uk , Planning Reference Number: 2008/0917.
An interesting article can also be read at: w w w.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3257728.ece
I hope that these prove to be helpful.
Best wishes,
Roma Beardsell, Norfolk”
by Alan Harper, Norfolk
Sunday, January 11 2009, 12:49PM
“1. Mr. Grosvenor, BWAG chairman, needs to be technically clear on his facts. Wind turbines offshore do not produce 'seven times more power' than those located onshore. The average Load Factor I have calculated for Onshore Norfolk is 23-24% nom. and the equivalent Offshore figure is 28-29% nom.
On a 'like for like' basis in our area, Offshore may be able to produce this enhanced LF or even up to 30% av. nom. This is NOT 'seven times more power' (700%), merely only up to 6-7% more.
2. We have experience of the exalted claims of Mr. Linley in Norfolk. The crucial 'Figure of Merit' is not the length of time that the turbines are rotating but the ANNUAL AVERAGE LOAD FACTOR which determines the Total Power Generation over that period. Reference to the Government publication DUKES(Directory of UK Energy) shows that this is 23-24% nominal and nothing like the implied stated figure of 35-40% - take great precautionary notice of Mr. Linleys 'IF' statement which precedes this figure in your article.
3. The truth of the matter is that wind turbines have to be backed up by CONVENTIONAL power stations running inefficiently in a 'rotating standby' mode to be switched in to save Grid supplies as the turbines get becalmed, sometimes in the space of 10 minutes and frequently for days in succession.
4. We need to cease advocating Offshore to take the heat from Onshore - wind turbines have no place in the Energy Equation,whether On- or Offshore because neither is capable of acting as a 'Demand' power producer in the same manner as conventional 24/7 power stations.
5. Try calculating Annual Power Output per hectare for a wind turbine/farm and calculate the equivalent for conventional power stations. I will not tell you the answer, but a factor of at least 'x1000' in favour of conventional power should give you an idea!
6. I would entreat BWAG to get somebody experienced on board who can understand and CALCULATE correctly the technical aspects of wind turbines from realistic power output capability, installation devastation (foundations/concrete/HGV routing) and increased cost (approx. 250%) of subsidised electricity Units to the BRITISH citizen.
The true 'raison d 'etre' of wind turbines in this country is a Government-backed scam to print money for EU companies which have emptied the European coffers.
7. Wars of this type are not won by well-placed diversionary sound-bites such as those flashed on the Public by Government apparatchiks.
8. Apologies for the late comment, but the article has only just been brought to my attention.
Kind Regards to all who read this.”