Bluewater Wind Meets with Town Council
WMDT.com reports Bluewater Wind met with the Ocean City Town Council about a proposed offshore wind project. The project could create 600 MW of wind generating capacity off the coast of Maryland.
Delaware Governor Supports Offshore Wind Project
WJZ.com reports Delaware Governor, Martin O’Malley, supports an offshore wind farm for the state of Delaware. O’Malley is also urging Maryland to participate in the Bluewater Wind Project. The proposed project calls for 200 wind turbines off the coast of Rehoboth Beach.
Writer Encourages Strict Environmental Constraint for Wind Farm Development
Forres Gazette reports an article written praising the efforts of an organization called Trees for Life. The author continues by sharing that four wind farm development sites in the application phase are planned for a new mooreland area. Even though conservation is a main objective, the sites will clear out a lot of young trees and jeopardize the natural environment. It is the author’s reccommendation to leave those areas as they are to place wind farm development under strict environmental constraint.
Cable Company Receives Contract for Offshore Wind Project
BusinessWeekly.co.uk reports Cambridgeshire subsea cable will provide the transmission cables for the £2 billion Greater Gablard offshore wind farm. This is the largest contract in the history of the company and they will use over 200 km of 33kV power cables and create 30 new positions to complete the job. The wind farm will create a wind generating capacity of 500MW using 140 turbines and is expected to be complete in 2011.
EDF Creates Plan for Climate Change
Ethical Corporation reports EDF Energy is prepared to face the challenges of the UK’s plans to tackle climate change. EDF is looking to expand their renewable energy portfolio, they currently have two wind farms that create 4.25MW, but their resources are primarily coal and gas at this time.
Ships Asked to Stay Away from Offshore Wind Site Construction
Gazette reports the 56 turbines of Gunfleet Sands may require ships to stay at least 500 meters from the site during construction. Dong Energy is ensuring that stray items from the site will not hit other vessels in the area. The company has applied for a 500 meter safety zone around the construction site.
Transmission Lines Gain Support in Western Isles
New Energy Focus reports Scottish and Southern Energy is seeking a new transmission line to the Western Isles from Scotland’s mainland for wind projects to be connected to the grid. The company has gained support for the underground transmission line. While the major 650MW wind farm by Lewis was rejected, two other plans are in application that will exceed the 20MW capacity of the current transmission lines.
Flat Ridge Wind Farm Celebrates Ground Breaking
The Earth Times reports the Flat Ridge Wind Farm in Kansas is under construction. The farm will use 2.5MW turbines to create 100 MW of wind power to provide electricity for 30,000 homes. Westar Energy will own 1/2 of the project and will purchase power from the other half, owned by BP Alternative Energy.
Chile Considers Wind Farm
EcoWorldly reports Endesa Chile is looking to invest $40 million in their first solar plant. They are also considering a wind farm that will be similiar to one in Canela, Coquimbo, that will have a wind power generating capacity of 80 MW.
NASA to Provide New Tool for Wind Energy
NASA.gov reports NASA may provide global satellite maps to reveal ocean areas where winds produce energy. This new tool could help determine locations for offshore wind farms. QuikSCAT is also used to predict storms and provide accurate weather reports. Ocean winds have the potential to create 500-800 MW of wind power per square meter.