The proposed Clachan Wind Farm

[Molly]

I was interested to read the article that Pentland Pirate links to above and I noted that on-shore wind energy (as proposed for Clachan) is reported to be relatively cost effective. It seems it's at least comparable to coal and gas on the basis of cost and actually cheaper than nuclear and that's without considering the limited environmental cost as compares to burning fossil fuels or generating nuclear energy.

[canUsmellthat]

Well he's not going to like that at 7 o'clock in the morning...

[Pentlandpirate]

and I noted that on-shore wind energy (as proposed for Clachan) is reported to be relatively cost effective. It seems it's at least comparable to coal and gas on the basis of cost

No Molly, it doesn't say that. It says a unit of electricity produced by on-shore wind farms is more expensive than that produced by conventional coal and gas fired powerstations.

An internal document from the National Grid, seen by the Sunday Express, says wind turbine energy will at times cost over 3,000 per cent more than conventional power.

Keep reading here: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/140 ... wind-power

[Molly]

Which part of my interpretation is incorrect? I didn't say it was cheaper I said it was comparable (as in similar) and as the cost is reported to the whole pence per kWh I don't think that's unreasonable. And it clearly shows on-shore as cost effective relative to off-shore.

Anyway I have scanned through the latest article that you have put a link on for. It doesn't seem to differentiate between off-shore and on-shore wind energy so I can't really interpret what it means for an on-shore development (given that we are already accepting off-shore wind energy is relatively expensive)

As you have directly quoted it I wonder if you can explain what it means by 'at times'?

[Pentlandpirate]

Molly, let me dig out the relevant parts from the National Grid report...back to you later on that.

But in the meantime, can you put together a response on behalf of windfarm owners on the following http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy ... owing.html

[Molly]

As one of the great undecided I don't think I'm ready to respond on behalf of windfarm owners but I can certainly attempt to summarise your latest article (very briefly) for the benefit of anyone wanting both sides of the story:

The National Grid has shown that wind energy supply can (like coal and gas power stations) be controlled to prevent a surge in electricity supply on days when demand doesn't meet supply. However, if a wind farm is shut down for this reason it may still get paid for the energy that it would otherwise have produced.

[canUsmellthat]

Look Molly, he's [always] right ok...just drop it...No matter what o'clock...

[Molly]

I'm thinking that might be fair advice.

[Pentlandpirate]

haha! No I'm NOT, and you heard it from me! But I have my own opinions, and I can be persuaded to change them.

But comparisons of cost, I accept, are very hard to make between wind and other methods of power generation. We are not comparing like with like. My opposition to onshore wind farms isn't actually based on cost. Even if it was successfully argued wind power is cheaper, I would still oppose them, in anything other than 'industrial' sites.

We've always had planning laws that respected the beauty of our landscape, and in an area where you can't even have a two storey house, it is a scandal that planning authorities so easily allow someone to industrialise hill tops in areas of great natural beauty with massive whirling power generators hundreds of feet high.

[Pentlandpirate]

I read that in Mr Young's 'official' scoping report that it actually accepts the noise level by the bridge will be in the range ABOVE 40 decibels.

Peace and quiet, those special moments when you can listen to the countryside, will be lost forever. Further out around Clachan Seil where the noise level of the turbines alone will still be in the range 30 - 40 decibels.

If you want to stop these things, start whispering about it now, before you have to shout to be heard.

[NickB]

I read that in Mr Young's 'official' scoping report that it actually accepts the noise level by the bridge will be in the range ABOVE 40 decibels.

That's right. And the nearest inhabited property is only 520m from the nearest turbine. There is a bill currently before the Lords which calls for a minimum distance of 1.5km for this size of turbine.

[Pentlandpirate]

I would think Mr Young will have to pay hefty compensation to the new buyer of Cnoc Crom, the house up behind the TnT or accept that a wind farm will negatively affect house prices in the area. I just hope the new buyer has done their research.

It took me a while to remember how to do it from my Highers geography but by doing scale drawings over the distances from various points in Clachan Seil and plotting the contour heights and position and height of each turbine, I've worked out they are going to see the whole turbine, base, mast and blades for all the turbines on the Clachan Sound side, and see most of all the turbines, even on the Loch Seil side.

As for Innish, the B&B by the bridge, and the TnT, Turbine No.2 is going to stand around 130 feet higher than where the flag occasionally flies on the top of the hill above the bridge, which is at about 160 feet high. It is true it will be 'set back' but in line of sight you will see the hill 160 ft high, and half the turbine extending another 130 feet above it. Turbine 3 will be even more prominent. Study of the land profile on OS shows the 'front' five turbines will be either fully visible from base up, or mostly visible from Clachan Seil. They will be simply unmissable as you drive from Balvicar to the bridge

[NickB]

As for Innish, the B&B by the bridge, and the TnT, Turbine No.2 is going to stand around 130 feet higher than where the flag occasionally flies on the top of the hill above the bridge, which is at about 160 feet high. It is true it will be 'set back' but in line of sight you will see the hill 160 ft high, and half the turbine extending another 130 feet above it. Turbine 3 will be even more prominent. Study of the land profile on OS shows the 'front' five turbines will be either fully visible from base up, or mostly visible from Clachan Seil. They will be simply unmissable as you drive from Balvicar to the bridge

Any chance of a sketch or photomontage?

[MonaLott]

I have just received the PACT leaflet on opposition to the wind farm proposal. Is it not the case though that this proposal should be fought in the frontline by the Community Council, the democratically elected representatives of the Seil population? What is their position and are they unanimously and forcibly fighting against the proposal on our behalves through the official channels to the council planners etc? Or are they split or ineffective? Update please for info. I would have hoped that local feeling is so strongly and widely against the proposal that the Community Council must be the first line of defence.

[smallpaws]

There's no contact info on the PACT leaflet - who's running the campaign?

[Maggie]

There's no contact info on the PACT leaflet - who's running the campaign?

I was puzzling this too. Why the secrecy?
My partner has a theory.
1. The leaflet is full of Masonic references and phrases.
2. The carvings on the rock near where the flag flies are clearly Templar in origin.
3. There are a number of caves very close to the windfarm site.
4. The lost Templar treasure is rumoured to be hidden in western Scotland.
We reckon therefore that there is an involvement here by the secretive "Sons of Argyll".
Whatever.
Good for them for actually doing something protest wise, rather than just whining.

[Maggie]

the Community Council, the democratically elected representatives of the Seil population.

Gosh, I'm busy.
They're not. Not one has been elected, there was no vote, they're self-appointed, they have made no effort to guage opinion regarding the windfarm.

[sleepy]

Maggie, I hear the Balvicar Brethern and the Csternhood of Clachan are revolting to keep our secrets safe once more.

Your partner(?) is most interesting with his interpretations of the local and international symbols. Please pass on my regards with the appropriate handy gestures and we will continue our recent
conversation in the inner sanctum of the Lodge TNT soon

[Pentlandpirate]

The properties nearer the bridge will suffer terrible shadow flicker as the sun rises behind the nearer turbines as they are immediately to the east of the bridge.