Reuters reports BP Alternative Energy will drop all wind projects in Britain to focus on wind power in the United States due to government incentives that are available. Further, BP has suspended all wind business in China, including a partnership with Goldwind, China’s largest wind turbine manufacturer.
IrishTimes.com reports Mainstream Renewable Power will spend €785 million to develop wind farms in Chile. This partnership with Andes Energy came from the sale of Airtricity in the US and Europe last year. The pair will develop 400MW of wind power to provide electricity to 271,000 homes.
Energy Efficiency News reports the United Kingdom has taken over Denmark’s leader spot in producing offshore wind power. The country now has 597.8MW while Denmark has 423MW in offshore wind power. Five more wind farms in the U.K. will bring the capacity up to 938MW by the end of 2009. Further, the five year Offshore Wind Accelerator will focus on developing foundations for more offshore wind farms, access systems, and to improve operations and maximize efficiency.
RenewableEnergyWorld.com reports Siemens Energy installed a turbine that can produce 3.6MW for two years of testing in Denmark. The first 25 offshore wind turbines of this model became operational in 2007. Currently there are 240 orders for this particular type of turbine that features the Siemen’s characteristic cyclindrical cigar-shaped nacelle.
Fenland Citizen reports Marshland Wind farm has applied to install 19 turbines and will probably apply for a site extension within 2 years. The developer claims this wind farm will have no impact on the Marshland area, but this citizen feels it will be damaging the environment and be a burden on the taxpayers.
Fair Home reports the United Kingdom has outdone Denmark as the leader of offshore wind power with three gigawatts of wind energy capacity. It has been predicted that the North Sea will produce enough wind energy by 2020 to be compared to the Gulf of Arabia in oil production. Five more wind farms are expected to be complete in the U.K. by 2020 that will bring the capacity to four gigawatts.
Wicked Local Cohasset reports CCI has submitted an application to install two wind turbines on Graham Waste property. The benefit of this installation is to have a lower and stabilized electrical cost. A wind bylaw has been the focus of the Alernative Energy Committee and has allowed for 100 meter tall turbines to capture wind at a high height. The committee has also taken into consideration visual impact, noise, and safety concerns.
The Press Association reports Peter Rowan, a hotelier, is installing a 20kW wind turbine to help reduce his Inn’s energy bills. He is also building a three bedroom house out of 530 bales of straw.
The Northern Echo reports Broadview Energy’s proposal to build five wind turbines was denied three turbines by the STockton Borough Council’s planning committee. These five turbines would have the capability of providing the power for 8,000 homes, but residential objections called for more research. Broadview has already spent more than 2.5 years conducting feasibility studies.
LowCarbonEconomy.com reports the 8 turbine Coldham Windfarm plans to expand with 7 additional 2MW wind turbines. The Co-operative Group and Scottish Power have maintained good relations with the community by providing them with an education center and new research showing the wind turbines have a smaller impact on wildlife than thought previously.