POWER FOR GOOD

COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT THE WIND FARM

How much energy will the proposed Wadlow Wind Farm generate?

According to our conservative estimates, the annual production of the proposed Wadlow Farm Wind Farm will be sufficient to meet the electricity demand of over 16,700 homes. This equates to 32% of all the homes in the South Cambridgeshire district. It would reduce CO2 emissions by at least 33,788 tonnes a year; over 800,000 tonnes over its predicted lifetime*.

*This is based on an emissions factor of 430g CO2/kWh, based on the UK's current generating mix. However, it should be noted that, given the uncertainties about future generating mix, this figure may not be appropriate in the long term and the precise emissions factor towards the end of the project's lifetime is unknown.

How loud are the turbines and will I hear them from my house?

You can stand right underneath a modern turbine and still hold a conversation without raising your voice. We follow rigorous and independent noise standards when designing our projects and we would not locate a turbine where it could cause statutory noise nuisance to local residents. This aside, wind farms are subject to strict planning conditions that monitor noise levels to guarantee that they never exceed specific levels.

The assessment of the acoustic noise impact of the proposed Wadlow Farm Wind Farm on nearby properties has been made based on the recommendations specified in the DTI publication 'The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms'.

The DTI Guidelines recommend that the allowable wind farm noise limit should be based on the prevailing background noise level, except where the background noise level falls very low, in which case the limit should be fixed at an absolute level. A higher noise level is permissible during night-time hours than during day-time ones, as it is assumed that residents would be indoors.

The predicted noise levels at all houses near to the site are within both quiet waking hours and night-time noise limits at all considered wind speeds and therefore, the proposed wind farm complies with the relevant guidance on wind farm noise. As a result, it is to be expected that its effect on the amenity of local properties would be minor. More information on the noise assessments is included in the Environmental Statement.

From how far away could the proposed wind farm be seen?

As part of our Landscape and Visual Assessment, our consultants have produced 'zones of visual influence' - these are colour-coded maps, which will show where the wind farm can potentially be seen from, as well as any cumulative impacts from other structures in the area. Photomontages and wireframes have also been produced, showing accurate images of how the wind farm will look from various viewpoints in and around Cambridgeshire.

Although the wind farm would be visible from a long distance in an empty landscape in good weather conditions, it is surprising just how much difference even small structures such as buildings, hedgerows and trees can make to the view.

We often find that whatever the arguments put forward in opposition to wind farms, the key underlying fear of most people is the visual impact. Some people just don't like the look of them, and have every right to their opinion, which none of the country's wind supporters are ever likely to change. But equally, many people enjoy looking at them and are fascinated, and even soothed, by their grace and beauty.

A commonly asked question is, 'Why are wind turbines painted that shade of grey?' The answer is that this has been found to be the least intrusive colour that they could be painted - it unfortunately is as close as possible to the average shade of the English sky!

Examples of photomontages can be found here.

Can the electricity generated be supplied directly to local houses?

The energy generated from the wind farm will be supplied into the local distribution network. The grid has the capacity to make use of the variable nature of the wind and a direct connection to the local grid is the most cost-efficient way of using the power generated.

Would my television or mobile phone reception be affected?

As with any large structure, wind turbines can potentially interfere with communication systems that use electromagnetic waves as the transmission medium (e.g. television, radio or microwave links). Any effect depends on the turbine design and location and the fact that wind turbine rotors are not stationary.

It is possible for wind turbines to cause interference to local TV reception either by obstruction or by reflection. Viewers situated forward of the wind farm (where the aerial is pointing through the turbines) may have their signals periodically obstructed by the rotating blades causing a 'scattering' of the signal. Viewers situated to the side may experience periodic reflections from the blades, giving rise to a delayed image or 'ghost'.

RES has gained considerable experience in this area and in practice problems are only experienced when the receiver already has a poor signal. Generally TV interference problems are predictable and normally there is a range of solutions available.

RES has performed a full technical assessment through prediction modelling and field studies of the scale and location of local TV interference that might occur as a result of the wind farm. The results show that only limited interference to a few locations in close proximity to the east of the wind farm may be experienced. Any isolated cases of interference have ready solutions and will be easily rectified at RES's cost.

Could I be affected by shadow flicker from the turbines?

The rotating wind turbine blades can cast a moving shadow on the surrounding countryside that cause a flickering effect and can affect residents living nearby. Whether problems due to shadow flicker will occur is dependent on the size of the turbines, the distance from the turbines to the shadow receptors, the angle and intensity of the sun and meteorological circumstances.

RES has sited all the Wadlow Farm turbines at least 800m from residential properties in order to minimise any occurrence of shadow flicker. The potential amount of shadow flicker likely to be experienced by the households close to Wadlow Farm Wind Farm has been calculated as very limited and the results were included in the Environmental Statement.

Would public rights of way be affected?

RES has considered the amenity of walkers from the very early stages of the site investigation. To ensure minimal impacts we have maintained a minimum of 200m separation distance from our proposed turbines to the Harcamlow Way National Trail to the south of the site and to the byway to the north of the site. No public rights of way will need to be closed during the construction and operation of the project.

What impacts might there be on birds?

There has been considerable media interest in the effects of wind turbines on birds over the years, with many conflicting reports. Most negative reports have been written about a few isolated cases where wind farms have been built in close proximity to large numbers of sensitive species, particularly in Spain and US.

An independent ornithological consultant has surveyed and assessed the Wadlow Farm Wind Farm site to address potential impacts on the bird population through habitat loss, disturbance and collision risk. 5 medium sensitivity species were recorded as breeding in the study area, none of which are thought to be at any significant risk of disturbance or collision with the proposed wind farm. We are confident that the project will not be detrimental to the ornithological interest of the area, and may in fact contribute to it through habitat enhancement.

What ecological surveys have been carried out?

RES has commissioned extensive ecological surveys to address any potential impact on protected species such as bats and badgers and flora and fauna. Bat surveys using specialised bat detectors were able to determine flight paths and species on and around the site, and the project has been designed to minimise any potential impacts. Badger sets and likely foraging routes have also been mapped (which will remain confidential) and statutory guidelines observed. Finally, rare arable flora were surveyed and mitigation measures will be implemented to ensure the continued presence of these species listed in the local biodiversity action plans.

Would there be any impact on archaeology?

Extensive desk studies and field surveys have established the locations of likely archaeological features on and around the site. RES has designed the windfarm so as to avoid wherever possible directly impacting on cropmarks that are potential sites of archaeological interest and palaeochannels that may contain material useful to future archaeological investigations. Where access tracks cross areas that may contain archaeological features, an independent archaeologist would be on hand to record all finds. Fleam Dyke is the only scheduled ancient monument in the immediate vicinity of the windfarm. RES has avoided all direct impacts on this feature and maintained a suitable buffer around it.

Where can I see an example of a wind farm?

Coldham wind farm, near March in Cambridgeshire was developed by Scottish Power on behalf of the Co-op. The Coldham site consists of eight 2MW turbines with a height of 100m to blade tip. The Coldham site is located at latitude: 52 34 29N, longitude: 00 08 45W.

The second Ecotricity turbine at Swaffham in Norfolk is rated 1.8MW and has a height of 120m to blade tip. It was erected after residents voted for a second turbine - see http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/projects/op_swaffhamII.html for more details.

A full directory of British wind farms can be found at www.bwea.com/ukwed

If you would like to visit a wind farm, we can arrange this for you (to one of your choosing if you prefer) - please contact us if this is the case.

Timescales



Planning consent for the wind farm was given in November 2009. Since then, we have been working on the planning conditions, which must be formally signed off by South Cambridgeshire District Council before construction can begin. We are also in negotiations with turbine manufacturers and financing institutions.

We hope to begin construction of the wind farm in mid-2011.



For more Frequently Asked Questions about wind power, please click here....