Nothing Happened

Superb double-page spread in today's Guardian, on pages 2 and 3 for maximum effect.

Well done Ecotricity! Onwards and upwards!

Offshore windfarm attacked by aliens

Stunning photo!
Perhaps we should have a heading/caption competition?

Photo: Chris Jones

Vorsprung durch Shellfish

The recent shelving of the London Array windfarm extension has attracted considerable media attention. Allegedly it was due to uncertainty over whether the development would harm a protected bird species. See these articles:

• Telegraph: Offshore windfarm scrapped due to fears over birds
• BBC news: Sea bird halts London Array wind farm expansion
• Grist news: World’s biggest offshore wind farm won’t expand because of bird

However, something seems a little 'fishy' (excuse the potential pun) about this saga.

It either means that wildlife is indeed benefiting from the thorough protection it so richly deserves, or there could be more to it than is reported in the media, i.e. perhaps there are other factors (financial?) in the background, and the wildlife issue is just an 'excuse', or it could subsequently be used as ammunition for 'green crap' reduction measures.

In any case, it is worth bearing in mind that properly designed/sited offshore windfarms can actually be beneficial for wildlife. See "Vorsprung durch Shellfish" article (with thanks to Alban Thurston for coining the splendid phrase) and the recent Friends of the Earth report report under the heading Marine Renewables, Biodiversity and Fisheries.

Severn Trent turbines at Derby Sewage Treatment Works, Spondon

Nice photos (courtesy of Nottingham Pro Wind Alliance) of Severn Trent's turbine at the Derby Sewage Treatment Works, Spondon, which should be producing electricity soon.

See also Severn Trent press release here and article in Derby Telegraph here.

Severn Trent turbine at Newthorpe sewage works

Nice photos (courtesy of Nottingham Pro Wind Alliance) of Severn Trent's turbine at the Newthorpe sewage works next to Awsworth, which should be producing electricity next month. Awsworth/Newthorpe was the first turbine proposal Nottingham Pro Wind Alliance actively supported.

See also Severn Trent press release here.

Boddington Turbine is 'up'

A ProWA member visited the newly erected Boddington wind turbine yesterday and took the photo below. Good to see the turbine 'up' at last. We look forward to seeing it 'spinning' and producing green electricity in due course. For further information please refer to the two links under "Good News: Dec 2011: Daventry District Council approves Boddington turbine, following officer's recommendation" on the ProWA website.