103. 22.04.2012 Windpower.
Mynydd Hiraethog, that’s the Denbigh Moors in English, is the upland region in Conwy and Denbighshire between the Conwy and the Clwyd. It’s highest point is Mwdwl-eithin, at 1,745 ft above sea level, making ...it higher than Exmoor. On its western edge, overlooking the Conwy Valley, lies the Moel Maelogan wind farm.
The Moel Maelogan came into being 10 years ago when the first 3 turbines were erected in 2002. The first electricity was generated in January 2003 and each turbine is capable of producing 1300kW, although to be brutally frank, I’ve no idea how much that is. A hairdryer, an electric radiator and a fridge freezer on the go at the same time.
At the time, the erection of the windmills marked the wind industry’s 1000th turbine and was initially welcomed, as it had been set up by 3 local farmers to boost their incomes, under the company name of Cwmni Gwynt Teg (Fair Wind). After commissioning, however, it was not without its opponents, not least because, although not located in the Snowdonia National Park itself, the turbines are visible from many parts of it. You can also see them when you come down Rhuallt Hill on the A55 (that’s the big steep hill just outside St Asaph)
Of the 3 turbines, 2 are owned and operated by the local farming co-operative, the third is owned and operated by Energiekontor. Energiekontor UK Ltd, a rather German sounding UK subsidiary of the German wind development company Energiekontor AG, who was instrumental in the finance and construction of the turbines
The electricity produced goes to the Llanrwst sub-station a few miles away and is sold to the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency.
9 more turbines were built in 2008, but these were lower and as such it was claimed that you couldn’t see them from Snowdonia. But you can.
Whenever I post a picture of windmills I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. Complaints come flooding in from bird lovers who come out with figures claiming that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, or maybe even trillions (the UK trillions that is, not the US trillions) of birds are caught up in them each day. This has recently been proven as a load of my eye and Peggy Martin by...... well by the RSPCA actually.
It transpires that more birds actually die by flying into windows or mirrored skyscrapers. Prepare to be hearing from the bird brained protestors in green anoraks and bad hair who will now be out for a full ban on tall buildings, polished stainless steel cladding and wall to ceiling patio doors. It won’t be long before they will be calling for crosses of masking tape on all windows, just like we had in the war. The war with the Germans that is.
Mynydd Hiraethog, that’s the Denbigh Moors in English, is the upland region in Conwy and Denbighshire between the Conwy and the Clwyd. It’s highest point is Mwdwl-eithin, at 1,745 ft above sea level, making ...it higher than Exmoor. On its western edge, overlooking the Conwy Valley, lies the Moel Maelogan wind farm.
The Moel Maelogan came into being 10 years ago when the first 3 turbines were erected in 2002. The first electricity was generated in January 2003 and each turbine is capable of producing 1300kW, although to be brutally frank, I’ve no idea how much that is. A hairdryer, an electric radiator and a fridge freezer on the go at the same time.
At the time, the erection of the windmills marked the wind industry’s 1000th turbine and was initially welcomed, as it had been set up by 3 local farmers to boost their incomes, under the company name of Cwmni Gwynt Teg (Fair Wind). After commissioning, however, it was not without its opponents, not least because, although not located in the Snowdonia National Park itself, the turbines are visible from many parts of it. You can also see them when you come down Rhuallt Hill on the A55 (that’s the big steep hill just outside St Asaph)
Of the 3 turbines, 2 are owned and operated by the local farming co-operative, the third is owned and operated by Energiekontor. Energiekontor UK Ltd, a rather German sounding UK subsidiary of the German wind development company Energiekontor AG, who was instrumental in the finance and construction of the turbines
The electricity produced goes to the Llanrwst sub-station a few miles away and is sold to the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency.
9 more turbines were built in 2008, but these were lower and as such it was claimed that you couldn’t see them from Snowdonia. But you can.
Whenever I post a picture of windmills I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. Complaints come flooding in from bird lovers who come out with figures claiming that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, or maybe even trillions (the UK trillions that is, not the US trillions) of birds are caught up in them each day. This has recently been proven as a load of my eye and Peggy Martin by...... well by the RSPCA actually.
It transpires that more birds actually die by flying into windows or mirrored skyscrapers. Prepare to be hearing from the bird brained protestors in green anoraks and bad hair who will now be out for a full ban on tall buildings, polished stainless steel cladding and wall to ceiling patio doors. It won’t be long before they will be calling for crosses of masking tape on all windows, just like we had in the war. The war with the Germans that is.
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