Renew On Line (UK) 39

Extracts from the Sept-Oct 2002 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

2. MoD blocks over half of UK’s Wind Farms

‘Of the 506 proposals received during the last three years, the Ministry of Defence has objected to a total of 238’ according to the Secretary of State for Defence, responding to a parliamentary question on May 15th. Dr. Moonie added ‘There have been a greater number of objections within the three Tactical Training Areas (in central Wales, north Scotland and the border region of northern England/southern Scotland), but out of these areas there is no set pattern as to where the objections lie’.

He explained that ‘all wind farm proposals are considered individually by the Ministry of Defence, on a case-by-case basis which examines their potential effects on our ability to train pilots safely and on operational capabilities. In some circumstances wind turbines have the potential to adversely affect radar and other communications depending on their position in relation to particular installations. Research is currently under way with the Department of Trade and Industry to address this issue.’

He noted that normally ‘the presence of wind turbines in most areas of the United Kingdom would present no difficulty to low flying aircraft because these and other naturally tall structures are taken into account as part of route planning’. But ‘the United Kingdom has three specially designated Tactical Training Areas (TTA) that are available for authorised military Operational Low Flying training. The three TTAs are located in central Wales, north Scotland and the border region of northern England/ southern Scotland. Within these areas military fast jets may operate down to a height of 100ft separation distance and a proliferation of obstacles could negate the value of the training. Units also make use of these areas for specialised night training. In these areas wind farm developments may compromise flight safety to an unacceptable level.’

On the basis of advice from the MoD, the DTI has refused consent for the construction of a 80 MW wind farm at Kielder in Northumberland, and so far attempts to get this decision reversed have been unsuccessful. According to the BWEA, the MoD has also objected to five of the 18 proposed offshore wind sites, but so far the MoD has only formally opposed the one off Cromer in Norfolk.