Once these wind turbines reach the end of their limited lifespan, the challenge is how to continue using the structures, which are often costly to build. ...reusing the foundation generally requires more construction materials and disturbs the soil as much as a new foundation, meaning it is necessary to weigh the benefit of having turbines that can generate more power against the possible land disturbance they can cause.

General UK

A second proposed extension of one of Moray’s largest wind farms has been described as a “nail in the coffin” for the region’s tourist industry. Initial plans have been lodged with the Scottish Government to expand the Berry Burn development south of Forres.

Tourism UK

A recent series of protests by a small number of people living close to the site at Bellacorick has highlighted wider concerns about the developers’ approach. “North Mayo has learned the meaning of community but the handling of this wind-farm project so far shows the State clearly has not,” says Brendan Lavelle of Keenagh Community Development.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Ireland

A controversial offshore windfarm which will provide power for thousands of homes could be rubber-stamped by planners next week.

Offshore Wind Safety UK

Dumfries and Galloway Council rejected the 12-turbine Hopsrig project near Langholm. It concluded that the impact on the setting in the Eskdale valley meant the scheme should not proceed.

General UK

Hundreds of people have signed a petition against plans for a major windfarm near Penpont. Sanquhar II Community Windfarm would see 50 turbines built on the site, designed to extend the existing development to the north.

General UK

This small increase was reflected in its power generation figures, as renewables produced 6.2TWh between 1 January and 30 September in 2017, and 6.3TWh this year. However, Innogy explained that "particularly low wind levels, especially in the second and third quarters of 2018 in the UK and Germany, led to reduced utilisation of existing plants".

General Germany UK

This small increase was reflected in its power generation figures, as renewables produced 6.2TWh between 1 January and 30 September in 2017, and 6.3TWh this year. However, Innogy explained that "particularly low wind levels, especially in the second and third quarters of 2018 in the UK and Germany, led to reduced utilisation of existing plants".

General Germany UK

Fred Olsen Renewables wants to build seven new turbines, six of which will be nearly 500ft tall, at Paul’s Hill near Knockando. ...members of Moray Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed to write to ministers to object to the plans due to the impact they would have on the local environment.

General UK

Solar PV projects won the entire 200MW of capacity offered in a technology-neutral tender pitting it against onshore wind. ...Sixteen solar projects have been selected at an average price of €54.94/MWh. Winners were selected purely on the basis of price... A similar technology-neutral tender in Germany in April yielded the same result with solar projects winning all of the available capacity.

Energy Policy Europe

Since 2015 there has been a steady erosion of this policy framework: energy efficiency spending has been cut, the cheapest forms of renewables have been locked out of the CfD auctions, support for small scale renewables has been slashed, and plans for renewable heat, new nuclear, and CCS have edged forward at the most glacial of paces.  

Energy Policy UK

Study coauthor Professor Maria Thaker said: 'We have known from many studies that wind farms affect birds and bats. 'They kill them and disrupt their movement. But we took that one step further and discovered that it affects lizards too. 'Every time a top predator is removed or added, unexpected effects trickle through the ecosystem.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on Birds UK Asia

Medical and scientific evidence is increasing that not only some animals, but also humans are able to perceive infrasound below the hearing threshold. This is not surprising actually, because "infrasound is an energy," explains Prof. Vahl, "And every energy has physical effects, whether you hear it or not." 

Impact on People Noise Germany

Every time a drop of rain hits a wind turbine blade it contributes to a process that ends in small cracks being formed in the leading edge of the blade that eventually ruin the coating on the blade. The bigger the drop, the worse the damage, reports DR Nyheder.

Offshore Wind Structural Failure Denmark

More than 60 wind farms – most in Scotland – were compensated on October 8. The payouts topped the previous high of £3.4million, sparking fresh criticism of the Scottish Government’s ‘green’ agenda. In very windy conditions, the National Grid cannot cope with the extra energy turbines produce, so firms get ‘constraint payments’ to temporarily shut them down.

Energy Policy UK

A contractor for a major Moray Firth windfarm project has been accused of shutting out UK workers in favour of “cheap foreign labour”. Contracts seen by Energy Voice indicate a number of non-EU nationals on Seaway Heavy Lifting’s (SHL’s) Stanislav Yudin crane vessel have been earning below the national minimum wage.

General UK

Populations are much smaller close to turbines because their habitat has been ruined, study finds; Clearing habitats to make wind turbines is killing off birds in Ireland; Populations were ten per cent lower in areas close to wind turbines; Forest species such as chaffinches, great tits and gold-crests were worst hit

Impact on Birds Ireland

New research has shown that there is a decrease in Irish bird populations in the areas immediately adjacent to wind turbines. As wind farms become more widespread in upland habitats, this may affect how birds use these areas.

Impact on Birds Ireland

Proposals to allow states to set their own setback rules and to abolish wind farms' privileges under German building laws have been presented to the federal council. North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg’s suggestions were discussed in the country's upper house, the Bundesrat, on 19 October and could be voted on in December, according to the German wind energy association (BWE).

Impact on People Germany

Workers hired to build the flagship £2.6bn Beatrice offshore windfarm in Scotland have included migrants without proper immigration documents paid a fraction of the UK minimum wage, the Guardian can reveal.

General UK