Last night saw approximately 20 local residents attend our public meeting to discuss the Talbot Farm wind turbine.
While the audience as a whole were generally in support of the scheme three particular issues were raised:
- Visual impact the scheme may have on the Cotwolds AONB
- More nuclear power should be used instead of wind turbines
- Whether the scheme would generate the 1,000MWh/yr quoted
Regarding the AONB we would say two things. Firstly this area has the M4, a line of national grid electricity pylons, numerous radio masts and a golf course which, as a result, make it somewhat less outstanding than other parts of the region. Secondly, we are aware that in the last century much of the surrounding area had windmills – so perhaps the odd wind turbine is actually a nod to our historical use of wind energy.
On the subject of nuclear power… Suffice to say that it’s not a renewable form of energy and therefore not relevant in any discussion on the merits of wind power as a viable source of clean electricity.
Lastly, whether the wind turbine would actually generate the 1,000MWh/yr quoted. Our calculations have been performed using the Carbon Trust wind yield estimation tool that takes both detailed wind resource data and the manufacturers published power curve to generate an estimation for annual yield. An annual generation of 1,000MWh/yr represents a load factor of 22.8%. If we compare this to the Ecotricity wind turbine at Nympsfield which has near identical wind resource and is also a 500kW machine, the published figures show typical load factors of 21% to 24%.
Results of completed survey forms:
Strongly in favour – 40%
Mildly in favour – 50%
Unsure – 10%
Mildly against – 0%
Strongly against – 0%