Rewilding our waters in an era of offshore wind: New report

For a country racing towards a cleaner energy future, offshore wind is often seen as one of Britain's greatest environmental success stories. 

But a new report from Rewilding Britain warns that if developments are not carefully planned, the UK could repeat many of the environmental and social mistakes of previous industrial revolutions.

As thousands of new offshore wind turbines are expected to be installed over the coming decades, the charity says nature recovery and coastal communities must be placed at the centre of every project rather than treated as an afterthought.

Its latest report, in an era of offshore wind, argues that marine rewilding should become a fundamental part of offshore wind planning. Instead of viewing renewable energy and conservation as competing priorities, the report suggests they can work together to restore marine habitats, strengthen local economies and improve biodiversity.

The charity highlights three key recommendations. First, marine rewilding should be integrated into offshore wind developments from the outset, helping regenerate ecosystems while supporting sustainable fisheries. 

Secondly, more of the economic benefits generated by offshore wind should remain within coastal communities through greater local ownership and investment. Finally, developers, government, conservationists, fishers and local residents should work together to co-design projects that balance renewable energy with environmental protection.

According to Kevin Cumming, offshore wind should become "part of the solution" by supporting nature recovery, creating jobs and giving coastal communities a genuine stake in the future of Britain's seas.

The report comes as marine ecosystems continue to face significant challenges. Britain has lost up to 92% of its seagrass meadows and around 95% of its native oyster reefs, while marine vertebrate populations have fallen by more than half over the past 50 years. Restoring these habitats is seen as vital not only for wildlife, but also for climate resilience, sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal economies.

Globally, around 2,000GW of offshore wind capacity will be needed by 2050 to help meet climate targets. That could require around 5,000 new turbines every year, occupying more than 500,000 square kilometres of ocean. Decisions made now, the report says, will shape marine environments for generations.

The report also points to the recently approved Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm as an example of why better planning is essential. The development has attracted concern over its predicted impact on seabird populations, including guillemots, gannets and kittiwakes, alongside worries from fishing communities and tourism businesses.

Perhaps most strikingly, the report notes that only around 30% of spending on offshore wind construction currently remains within the UK, meaning many of the financial benefits flow overseas instead of supporting local jobs and supply chains.

For environmentalists, the message is clear. Britain's transition to clean energy must not simply reduce carbon emissions; it should also restore damaged marine ecosystems, strengthen coastal communities and leave the natural environment healthier than it was before. Offshore wind, says Rewilding Britain, has the potential to do all three, provided nature is designed into every project from the very beginning.

To learn more please visit https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

Planning Hurdle Cleared for Sloy Pumped Storage Project

The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the independent charity that works to protect, promote and provide for the conservation of the National Park area’s special qualities, has welcomed news that Scottish and Southern’s Sloy pumped storage project near Tarbet on Loch Lomond has cleared an important planning hurdle.

Tarbet resident Duncan MacLachlan, who is one of the charity’s trustees told That's Green: “We're very pleased to see that the plans to redevelop the Sloy Power Station as a Pumped Storage facility have gone through the National Park’s planning processes successfully.

"The Section 36 category of the application has still to be assessed, but we are confident the Scottish Government will give approval, especially considering the valuable contribution the project will make to the country’s capacity to store surplus renewable solar and wind energy, providing stability for the national power distribution grid and boosting energy security. 

"As well as enhancing the status of Sloy Power Station’s iconic Modernist Classical building, it should also bring some much-needed economic benefit for the local community.”

https://www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

Opus Energy signs wind power agreement with Danish energy company Nordjysk Elhandel

Opus Energy, the Northampton and Oxford-based energy supplier, has entered cooperation with Danish energy company, Nordjysk Elhandel (NEAS), specialising in renewables for the balancing and trading of wind power production from wind turbine generators in the UK. 

"Wind power generation is expanding rapidly in the UK and we at Opus Energy want to secure the best possible set-up in production management for wind power generators. The cooperation with NEAS gives us access to state-of-the-art services in scheduling and balancing of wind power, and competencies in trading of wind power. 

"This will provide UK wind power generators with the best service and maximum value for their production and associated certificates. We believe this cooperation will give us a competitive edge to enable us to expand our market for wind power generation”, explains Charlie Crossley Cooke, Managing Director, of Opus Energy.

Today there's approximately 5,970 MW installed capacity of wind power in the UK. However, this number is expected to rise dramatically to over 10,000 MW in 2015 and well over 20,000 MW in 2020, based on the figures for wind turbines presently under construction, approved and planned.

“At NEAS we have invested many resources in building up the strongest possible set-up in production management and trading of wind power. For example, we have our own meteorologists and analysts forecasting production volumes, and we have developed specialized IT systems for balancing and scheduling of wind power generation. Also, we have years of experience in trading of wind power in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. The cooperation with Opus Energy provides us with a highly competent partner to market our services for wind power generators in the UK”, says Bo Lynge Rydahl, CEO at NEAS.

Opus Energy and NEAS expect to sign the first wind power production purchase agreements (PPAs) in the UK within the first quarter of 2012. They will market their services to wind power generators on the basis of competitive and dynamic pricing structures and outstanding balance responsible party services.

FACTFILE
Opus Energy is the UK’s leading business energy supplier. With offices in Northampton and Oxford, Opus Energy employs 360 people.

Opus Energy supplies over 110,000 UK business sites across all sectors. Corporate customers include: Stagecoach, Halfords, Pizza Hut and Virgin Media.

Opus Energy's management team has a 50 per cent stake in the business, while International Power Plc (LSE:IPR.L) holds 30 per cent and Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L) has 20 per cent.

For further information about Opus Energy, please see www.opusenergy.com.

NEAS is the market leader in trading and balancing of wind turbine operation, based on market terms, in Denmark. Representing more than 1, 200 MW installed capacity under management.

Turbine blazes after 160mph wind damage

The turbines were 'feathered' due to the stormy conditions.

RWE npower renewables receives green light for green energy

RWE npower renewables has been granted planning permission to build a twelve-turbine wind farm located between the villages of Bozeat, Harrold and Lavendon.

Nun Wood Wind Farm was the subject of a thorough and rigorous public inquiry, held before a Government appointed Planning Inspector. The public inquiry, which concluded in October 2011, was open to all local residents and businesses.

Matt Pinfield, Regional Manager for Eastern England at RWE npower renewables said: "We are delighted with the Planning Inspector's consent for Nun Wood Wind Farm. It is a superb location for a wind farm - well designed and appropriately sited and will generate enough energy to meet the annual average needs of thousands of homes each year. The Nun Wood Wind Farm will make a substantial contribution to clean energy supply and the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gasses."

In his written report the Planning Inspector seemed to agree that there would be some harm caused by the creation of the wind farm. However, stated: "The degree of harm in landscape and visual amenity is limited. In my judgement the harm is outweighed by the urgent need for renewable energy as promoted in national and regional policies and the wider environmental and economic benefits that it would bring over a 25 year period."

As well as Nun Wood Wind Farm generating enough electricity to meet the annual average needs of between approximately 13,700 and 15,600 homes annually, the local community could receive a windfall of at least £540,000 over the lifetime of the wind farm.

This funding would provide a valuable long term source of income for the local community. It is flexible funding that can address what is really important to communities and has the potential to fund large and small projects as well as capital and revenue activities. The annual funding of £1,000 per megawatt (MW) per year would become available when the wind farm is operational and local people can be involved in deciding how it is distributed.

Matt Pinfield added: "We have consulted with the local community during the planning and development of this wind farm and as a responsible developer we will continue to work with the community throughout the next stages of the project as the wind farm is constructed. We will be providing detailed construction and traffic management plans to Milton Keynes Council, Bedford Borough Council and the Borough Council of Wellingborough which will also be available for public consultation."

Construction of the wind farm presents opportunities for local economic benefit and employment. Whilst current legislation and competitive tender process for each part of the works is followed, it is normal to expect that local suppliers and contractors with appropriate skills will be well placed to tender for contracts.