The Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee this week called for a speedy approval of the Beauly to Denny line despite nearly 20,000 objections. ...Developers say the upgrade is needed to carry renewable energy from schemes in the Highlands and Islands.

Plans to build three 125m-tall wind turbines near two villages have been given the go-ahead. Broadview Energy has been given permission by Stockton Borough Council planning committee to build the wind farm on land between Seamer and Hilton, between Stokesley and Yarm. ...A total of 200 representations of support and 410 letters of objection had been submitted to Stockton Borough Council.

Plans for a wind farm in a picturesque North Dorset setting were sensationally thrown out on July 2. Despite a recommendation to approve the six 120m-high turbines at Silton, near Gillingham, district councillors unanimously voted to refuse the application.

A controversial wind farm near Yarm has been approved at the second time of asking. Stockton Council's planning committee gave the green light yesterday for three 125-metre wind turbines to be built on land between Seamer and Hilton.

Renewables trade body the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) said that offshore wind farm construction had gathered pace, matching that of onshore projects for the first time. "But this progress has been accompanied by a sharp increase in capital costs which is a concern for continuation of that success story.

The scale of public opposition to Europe's largest onshore wind farm proposed for the Shetland mainland has been underlined after about 70 campaigners handed in a petition of more than 3600 signatures demanding the plans be scrapped. ...The signatures, representing almost 20% of Shetland's population over the age of 12, were given to Shetland Island Council convenor Sandy Cluness.

The isle has rocked to vibrations from work off the area's coast as power giants Vattenfall build a huge wind farm project, writes Tom Betts. The loud bangs came from the Sea Jack vessel which is currently pile-driving the sea bed in order to install the foundations. The noise was heard last night (Monday, June29) across Thanet from Birchington as far round the coast as Broadstairs and even Ramsgate.

High Court battle has been launched in a bid to prevent four wind turbines being built in the Derbyshire countryside. Plans for the turbine generators and a substation at Carsington Pastures - next to Carsington Water - were initially turned down. Applicant West Coast Energy then lodged an appeal and at a subsequent public inquiry a Government inspector ruled the effects on the nearby national park and two conservation areas were outweighed by the benefits of creating renewable energy.

A pond in the north of the site has been the home of marsh harriers and bitterns since at least 2005, research by the bird charity as shown. But developer Ridge Wind said it had considered the environmental impact of its development and was sure there would be no damage caused by the windfarm.

BP has shut down its alternative energy headquarters in London, accepted the resignation of its clean energy boss and imposed budget cuts in moves likely to be seen by environmental critics as further signs of the oil group moving "back to petroleum". ...[Vivienne] Cox - BP's most senior female executive, who previously ran renewables as part of a larger gas and power division now dismantled by Hayward - is standing down tomorrow.

Plans that could lead to 62 wind turbines on seven sites within a six-mile radius could be investigated by the Government, if a local MP gets his way. Phil Wilson is calling for the intervention because he believes the plans represent excessive development in his Sedgefield constituency. He has written to Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for business innovation and science, asking that the Government call in the schemes.

The decision on the Logiealmond Wind Farm will not now be determined by Scottish Government Ministers in conjunction with the Calliacher Wind Farm application - but will be decided by delegated authority. The news, received by Perth and Kinross Council, has been greeted with dismay by Councillor Barbara Vaughan, the Conservative representative for the Strathtay Ward.

Faulty wind turbines in a Northumberland beauty spot could be taken down after they stopped working. The three giant structures at Kirkheaton, North of Hexham, were put up almost 10 years ago by EDF Energy. But technical issues have meant that two of the turbines have had to have their blades removed, and haven't been operational since last autumn.

The Solway Firth is at the centre of £500 million proposals to build a mile-long dam between England and Scotland fitted with energy-generating turbines, the Sunday Herald can reveal. The proposed tidal barrage, subject of a £60,000-£100,000 feasibility study commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Northwest Regional Development Agency (NRDA), would stretch over the River Solway from Annan in Dumfries & Galloway to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria.

A Highland Perthshire community could be studded with wind farms following a surprise reversal by government ministers, a local councillor has claimed. A decision on plans for the 14-turbine Logiealmond wind farm was to have been determined in conjunction with the larger 27-turbine Calliacher wind farm application.

Campaigners objecting to a massive windfarm on a mountain where Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr staged a decisive battle will today stage a peaceful protest. More than 100 turbines, each 140m high, could go up on Mynydd Hyddgen. Developers Airtricity won an Assembly tender for the wind farm, at Nant-y-Moch in the Pumlumon hills above Machynlleth, straddling Powys and Ceredigion.

A wind turbine proposed for a countryside location at Hooksway would damage an area of outstanding natural beauty and the setting of a listed building, district councillors ruled. The northern area development control committee voted 6-4 to refuse planning permission for the turbine, at Hooksway Lane.

Breaches of health and safety regulations cost Vestas Blades nearly £500,000, a court was told. The Newport turbine blademaker, which is set to close, was fined a maximum £10,000 by Island magistrates and told to pay £25,000 of the Health and Safety Executive's costs.

A headteacher has moved to allay residents' fears over plans for a 49ft wind turbine in the playground of her school in Westcliff. Westborough Primary School wants to harness wind power to cut its electricity bill, but neighbours have voiced fears over noise.

Controversial plans for a wind farm to be built on Mynydd y Betws have finally been rubber-stamped after a public inquiry. The go-ahead was revealed to Carmarthenshire Council last week and the green light has prompted a mixed response from throughout the Amman Valley.