Wind Farms

[coachman]

Just wondered - does anyone have any strong opinions either way on Wind farms? Do you find the generators lining up on the horizon on Morecambe bay upsetting? or maybe they are a necessary evil?

Willow and I tend to share the view that they can be aesthetically pleasing as more go up on the skyline, they add rather than detract from the views. HOWEVER: At what point would we say "enough is enough?"

There is a Wind farm off the Norfolk coast and I must admit that if I had bought a house there specifically to soak up the views of the sea, I would be more than a little miffed at what has happened there..........


Have the Government overstepped the mark already? Would you accept this sea view as necessary if you lived in the area? If you agree that Wind farms are a good idea, would you also agree to have this view out of your front room window?

[WillowTheWhisp]

Maybe I'm odd but I don't actually dislike that view with the windmills.

[accykeef]

There is no maybe about it, Willow - you are odd but on the subject of 'woodbines' I have to agree with you, they are relaxing to watch.
One Welsh farmer had a notion about them hypnotising his sheep but he soon snapped out of it.
Not sure about the turbines in the sea though. I think they could damage marine life.

[WillowTheWhisp]

May 20, 2010 19:10:35 GMT accykeef said:

There is no maybe about it, Willow - you are odd

What effect do you think they actually have on marine life Keef? Are we talking birds or fish?

[Bondee]

I think they're brilliant!

But then, I would say that, wouldn't I? Without them I'd be out of a job.


There have been incidents where birds have been injured by the blades, but they're few and far between. Also, bats have been killed by the sudden drop in pressure caused by the spinning blades. There is some evidence that the ultrasonic anemometers* installed on some turbines confuse the bats' "echo location system" and make the turbine invisible to them, which would explain why they fly so close to the blades in the first place.


*Not the type I make, I hasten to add. The type we make only seems to attract flies!

[WillowTheWhisp]

Do they kill the flies?

[Bondee]

LOL! I don't know. I'll have to ask one of the engineers!

Incidentally, I'm told by the owners of my usual hotel in the town that there are plans to expand the Barrow Offshore array, but I can't seem to find any information on t'interwebs.

I don't suppose any of you lovely people have heard anything? I'll buy you a beer/cuppa when I'm in town in September if you can help.