EUROPE’S BIGGEST WIND NOW BLOWING IN SCOTLAND

Controversy over wind energy remains pitched in the UK.

Some fail to understand the environmental degradation of coal mines and the eyesore on the landscape of nuclear power plants and object to the aesthetics of wind turbines. Economic Impacts of Wind Farms on Scottish Tourism, a Scottish government report found that 3/4 of tourists believe wind farms have a positive or neutral effect on the landscape.

From the report: "…the effects are so small that, provided planning and marketing are carried out effectively, there is no reason why the two [wind farm and tourism] are incompatible".

Others don’t understand the way grid operators regularly manage varying energy inputs and complain about wind’s intermittency as if it were a problem.

There are those who don’t understand the urgency of developing emissions-free energy and object to government subsidies (like the ones traditionally provided to all vital energy industries) for building New Energy infrastructure.

For 5 years, the UK and Scottish governments and the wind farm builders have worked through controversy and objection. Now, at last, they will be able to prove their points.

click to enlarge

Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm plugs into the national grid
Gerry Braiden, April 7, 2008 (The Herald)

WHO
ScottishPower, Siemens, Views of Scotland, Greenpeace UK

Survey results. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
After years of controversy and delay, the first 10 turbines of Whitelee wind farm’s planned 140 turbine, 320 megawatt installation went on line.

WHEN
- 5 year planning delay and 18 month site preparation
- first 10 turbines went on line April 7, 10 more by the end of April
- entire project expected to be on line by the end of Summer 2009

Choosing a wind farm site is a complex and considered matter. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
Eaglesham Moor, south of Glasgow, in Scotland

WHY
- 90+ km of roads and bridges were built across boggy moorland to transport 8-piece units with 200ft towers and blades extending height to over 300ft.
- Foundations are 30 feet deep, below peat to bedrock.
- Laid out in east to west grids on an area (55 sq km) the size of Glasgow.
- Visible over four local authority areas to 1.5 million people.
- Fastest rotation speed: 17 revolutions/minute, blades turning at 150 mph.
- ScottishPower monitors other local wind farms from site.
- Turbine manufacturer Siemens supplies Danish workforce to operate Whitelee.
- Local reservoir and monument to Covenanters have been carefully preserved.

It would be foolish to waste wind energy assets like these. Fossil foolish. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
From the article: “Once completed, ScottishPower will open the entire 55sq km moorland site to ramblers, mountain bikers, birdwatchers and the curious, connecting the newly laid onsite road network with existing tracks and paths, offering spectacular views of central Scotland right up to the West Highlands and even providing shower facilities. In addition, it is spending several million pounds on a visitor centre, which will include an education hub providing information on the operation of wind farms and renewable energy generation.”