Green light for biggest wind farm in the world

Enviro-mental · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 02:42 PM

I found an article that I wanted to share about the world's largest offshore wind farm that was given the go ahead on Tuesday. Thought it would be interesting to see what everyone's views on this was.

"The first phase of the 341-turbine project off the south-east coast will begin this year and it could be generating power in time for the 2012 Olympics.

It will eventually supply enough electricity for about 750,000 homes - a quarter of all those in Greater London."

Here's the URL if you want to read the rest of the article:
Green light for biggest wind farm in the world | Metro.co.uk

solus · #2 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 05:55 PM

Kent/Essex/Thames Estuary....

I wonder how that will affect migrating wildfowl and waders?

"It will eventually supply enough electricity for about 750,000 homes - a quarter of all those in Greater London." Mmmmm - I wonder.... (cynic that I am!

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ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enviro-mental

It will eventually supply enough electricity for about 750,000 homes - a quarter of all those in Greater London."

I'd rather see them offshore than on our uplands. However, it is these wonderful sounding boasts that concern me. 750 000 homes is no good to man nor beast if it is only for say five minutes per day.

Regards, Chris

Jenny W · #4 (**permalink**) 22-05-2009, 02:50 PM

My take on wind farms is that they are fine provided they are not sited in the wrong places, eg. SSSI's, SPA's, SAC's, NNR's, migration routes etc. There are plenty of locations both on and off shore around the UK where their presence would not adversely affect wildlife and habitats. I used to live in a very agricultural area of the UK and there were many wind farms sited on arable monocultures - ideal sites for windfarms - open with plenty of wind and no adverse effect on wildlife or habitats (and no doubt substantial compensation payouts to keep the farmers happy). Conversely, putting a windfarm on say the Isle of Lewis peatbogs was an absolutely outrageous idea.

(sorry if this should be in the other wind turbines thread, but this one is much shorter and quicker to read!

).

Mick_S · #5 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 11:30 PM

The biggest Fartfarm in the world and it's going to supply just a quarter of the homes in one city and then only when the wind is blowing, Friends of the earth are delighted, just what earth are they friends of I want to know.
Disclaimer:- wretched thing is in my backyard so to speak.

Mick

jacbaye · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 07:22 PM

Did you see BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Wind farm 'kills Taiwanese goats'

Thinking off shore might be a better idea!

Jenny W · #7 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 08:28 PM

What I would say to wind farm opponents (unless the farm is proposed somewhere where damage to wildlife is likely - see my earlier post) is - would they prefer a nuclear power station or would they prefer to go back to living by candle light when all the fossil fuels run out?

The way I see it, it all comes down to this - what choice have we got - renewables or nowt.

(Sorry if that's a bit extreme!

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Rich_ · #8 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny W

The way I see it, it all comes down to this - what choice have we got - renewables or nowt.

(Sorry if that's a bit extreme!

)

Does it matter? We managed OK before the invention of the electric light bulb and the motor car. We may, over the last 100 years or so, have created a way of life which is not realistically sustainable long term?

(sorry if that's a bit more extreme)

Jenny W · #9 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_

Does it matter? We managed OK before the invention of the electric light bulb and the motor car. We may, over the last 100 years or so, have created a way of life which is not realistically sustainable long term?

(sorry if that's a bit more extreme)

True, but how many people would actually be happy going back to that lifestyle? It would not just be a case of light bulbs and cars either, it would be all mechanised manufacturing/farming (well everything mechanised really!)and no WAB

. There would be no hospitals/no resources for schools/no police/no fire service/no anything like that. Sorry I'm the one being extreme now!

For example, I'm all for conserving the environment/wildlife - my whole life is involved with it in many ways, but to be fair even I do like watching a bit of TV every now and again!

(sorry if that sounds a bit shallow and naive!).

Rich_ · #10 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 07:28 PM

Neither shallow nor naive, Jenny. I'd say most people would agree with you.

I don't think many of us alive now would want to go back to that lifestyle, but if they are to rely on wind power & other renewable sources, future generations may have to take at least a step back towards it. What I was getting at earlier was, do we really need dishwashers, and automatic washing machines & powered lawnmowers, tumble dryers etc, for our continued survival? My grandparents didn't have them,(they did have a TV, though) and I wonder how much energy they consume globally each day, compared to a dolly tub & mangle