Caithness CWS - Wind Farms News And Information

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19 November 07 Majority Reject Wind Farm For Stroupster In Local Ballot A ballot that was set up by Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council and organised by Electoral Reform Services resulted in 801 people voted - a participation rate of 63.2 per cent. Of those who voted, 491 (61.3 per cent) opposed the development while 310 (38.7 per cent) backed it. A total of 1267 ballot papers were issued. 10 November 07 Stroupster Wind Farm Letters Debate Continues From Stuart Young On behalf of Caithness Windfarm Information Forum Sir I refer to Mr Bill Mowat’s letter in the John o’Groat Journal last week concerning Stroupster Wind Farm, and would wish to make some further observations on behalf of Caithness Windfarm Information Forum (CWIF). 21 October 07 PROPOSED AERO-GENERATION AT STROUPSTER, CANISBAY PARISH From Bill Mowat, former councillor N.E. Caithness. The Community Council for North East Caithness (Dunnet and Canisbay parishes) deserves hearty congratulations for enabling its electors a postal ballot (19.10.07 to 9.11.07) on the plan by one of the World’s largest energy ‘utilities’ to build a £30 million ‘green’ electricity generating facility at Stroupster. Applicant N-power Renewables is part of RWE, with h.q. in Germany’s Ruhr valley, (a company well known to Dounreay hands) has c. 68,000 employees worldwide with a 2006 turnover of over 44 billion euros. 31 August 07 Row blows up on wind farm locations - Scotsman The Merton Rule The 'Merton Rule' is the groundbreaking planning policy, pioneered by the London Borough of Merton, which requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the built environment. Hundreds of local authorities look set to follow Merton's lead, which will impact all new major development projects throughout the UK. 20th August 07 Smartest Energy Informer This link will let you see some of what is going on in other parts of the UK on wind energy 10 August 07 Latest Update On Durran Mains Wind Farm D P Energy Ireland Ltd has put information about the current status of its plans for a wind farm at Durran Mains onto its web site. The proposal has undergone significant changes since the initial concepts were outlined in 2004. These changes have included a reduction in the scale of the development (from 32 to 13 turbines) and in the size of the individual turbines (from 100m to 91m). The proposed site is about five miles from Thurso. the revised scheme will produce 20MW with smaller turbines of 1.3 – 1.5MW capacity each (and up to 91metres in height). 18 July 07 No rethink on wind-farm stance despite ’silent majority’ claim - National Wind Watch Baillie Wind Farm Ltd for turbines at Stempster Hill and Bardnaheigh Hill Item by Ian Grant published in the John O'Groat Journal and National Wind Watch web site Community representatives in west Caithness have refused to rethink their opposition to a wind farm planned for Stempster. They deny they are out of step with local opinion and insist their stance would not preclude them seeking to maximise community benefits from the development were it to get the go-ahead. The chairman of Caithness West Community Council, Bill Brown, spoke out in response to a claim that the body was acting against the wishes of a “silent majority” in the area. 17 July 07 Renewable Heating Systems Piloted In Highland Council Properties The Highland Council has installed eight ground source heat pumps in eight of its properties as part of pilot project to evaluate the suitability of renewable energy technologies in tackling fuel poverty. The pilot, which is being managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Executive, is being run across Scotland and will eventually involve participation by local authorities, housing associations and private householders. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) extract solar heat stored in the ground and release the heat at a higher temperature in the house usually through underfloor heating or a radiator circuit. The heat is extracted from the ground using a "collection loop" which is lengths of plastic pipe buried in a borehole or trench. The pipe is filled with an antifreeze mixture which circulates through the pipe absorbing heat from the ground. This type of heating system has been installed in Highland Council properties under the pilot in Nigg, Fearn, Avoch, Rogart, Portree and Kyle none of which has access to the mains gas network and therefore they have limited heating system choices. Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Ground source heat pumps offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to other heating systems such as coal and oil central heating. In all of these trial properties we have also ensured that there is sufficient loft and cavity wall insulation installed to reduce heat loss. Initial reactions from our tenants who have had the GSHPs installed since March has been very good." Comments from tenants have included - "I'm delighted with it, the pump is not noisy at all, it doesn't disturb us and everything is just fine." and "Absolutely fantastic and its lovely coming into a warm house - I can't fault it so far." Overall the pilot will be evaluating ground and air source heat pumps and wood-pellet boilers as these technologies provide both heat and hot water in the home and can replace an existing central heating system. The new installations will be comprehensively monitored until March 2008 to assess their impact on the comfort of the home and the impact on tenants fuel bills. The results from this monitoring will help the Scottish Executive in determining what future role renewable technologies can play in helping meet the 2016 target to eradicate fuel poverty. Eddie Boyd, The Highland Council Senior Engineer said: "Installation of these GSHPs will greatly assist the Council in its own evaluations of alternative heating systems for the council housing stock with the aim of improving the standard and efficiency of heating for tenants and reducing the number of those suffering fuel poverty." 20 June 07 Latest Wind Farm Listing For Highland - May 2007 6 Operational, 2 Under Construction, 2 approved subject to legal consent, 36 others at various stages. 19 are in Caithness and 15 in Sutherland. 5 others have been refused planning permission. 3 are still under appeal. 14 June 07 Beauly – Denny 400kV Transmission Line: Mitigation Offer Unanimously Rejected 3 April 07 Spittal Wind Farm Opposition Group New Web Site A new web site for the Spittal Wind Farm Opposition Group has been launched. The web site lists the objections of the group to the wind farm proposal especially the high visibility of the site and its potential impact for locals and visitors to Caithness. Scoping Opinion For Spittal Wind Farm 21 February 07 SNH fights on against wind farm - Scotsman SCOTTISH Natural Heritage yesterday confirmed its objection to a huge wind farm planned for Lewis. Meanwhile, SNH has withdrawn its objection to a proposed wind farm at Edinbane on Skye. 16 February 07 Island wind farm receives backing - BBC The £500m project, which will see 176 giant turbines built on the Isle of Lewis, has divided the community. 9 February 07 UK wind power reaches milestone - BBC The UK has become only the seventh nation in the world to have more than two gigawatts (GW) of operational wind power capacity. The milestone was passed on Friday when the Braes O'Doune wind farm, near Stirling, began producing electricity. 9 February 07 LOCHLUICHART WINDFARM This windfarm proposal is located 18km Northwest of Dingwall and is situated near the intersection of the A835(T) and the A832. Like most wind farm proposals there many people for and against the proposal. Further information, both for and against the proposed windfarm at Lochluichart can be found at www.lochluichart-windfarm.com and www.a-wind-farm-too-far.com 27 January 07 Buolfruich Wind Farm, Dunbeath Three photos of Buolfruich Wind Farm and couple to show where the photos was taken from on the A99. The first three photos were taken - No Zoom, Part Zoom and Full Zoom on the camera. A couple of photos looking towards Dunbeath Village are added to give you some idea of where the photos were taken from on the A99 before you reach the Escape Bed. 20 January 07 Shetland islanders set for £25m wind farm windfall Scotsman 7 January 07 Ill wind threatens literary heartland - Scotsman Dunbeath strath wind farm and other information Wind Farm & Alternative Energy Archive 2005 & 2006 Wind Farm News Archive 2004 Wind Farm News Archive 2003		Spittal Wind Farm Opposition Group Highland Council Renewable Energy Strategy Highland Council Map Of Wind Applications June 2008 Highland Wind Farms As At June 2008 Highland Wind Farms As At February 2008 Highland Wind Farms As At September 2007 Highland Wind Farms As At May 2007 Highland Wind Farms As At April 2007 Highland Wind Farms As At January 2007 Highland Wind Farms As At October 2006 Highland Wind Farms As At August 2006 Highland Windfarms Total Dec 2005 Windfarms In Highland As At December 2003 Planning Application Environmental Statements Burn of Whilk Wind Farm Camster Wind Farm Wind Potential For Beatrice - North Sea Community Energy - An HIE Web Site Community Toolkit Find out what a community might get if they have a Wind Farm nearby and how to go about getting it - produced by Highland Council Wind Farm Sites In Caithness and Highland Beatrice Wind Farm Demonstrator Project Causeymire Wind Farm Wind Farm Interest In Highland 9 December 2002 Issued by Highland Council setting out the current position regarding applications Causeymire, Achkeepster Farm, Watten, Caithness Windmill At Wellbeck Estate, Caithness Windmill Oops See Also Wind Farms Information Views Of Scotland - anti wind Farm Groups and info But Windmill Power Is Nothing New In Caithness Flagstone Industry Castlehill The Windmill and Dam Before the introduction of a steam engine in 1861 the stone was quarried in dry weather and cut in wet weather when there was water to fill the dam. The old wind-mill tower is now a scheduled ancient monument and a unique feature of the site. Originally the building had a box on the top of the tower which turned face to the wind. Four vertical sails were fitted to this box. It was used in the very early days to pump water draining out of the quarry. the water was pumped into the dam and was then fed through two sluices to operate an overshot wheel. This then powered the saws. Harrow Pavement Works In 1856 a tramway was installed to transport waste, known as tirr, away from the workings in horse draw, self-tipping wagons. A windmill-driven pump was employed to keep the workings dry. (ref.2) The 14^th Earl rejected Gills in favour of Harrow, where he set about building a pavement works and harbour. Buolfruich Windfarm Dunbeath Information Renewable Obligation Certificates What Are Renewable Obligation Certificates Reform of the Renewable Obligation Certificates ROCs Wind Articles Landscape strategy and assessment guidance for wind energy development within Caithness and Sutherland (2005)