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| SWATT was originally formed in 2005 to oppose two planning applications totalling up to 27 Wind Turbines, 400 ft high, in an area to the North of Gilfach Goch, Mid Glamorgan. This is part of the Welsh Assembly Government's TAN 8 (Technical Advice Note 8) proposal for renewable energy. | |||||||||||||
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Our membership comprises of local concerned residents, some of whom have scientific backgrounds associated with energy production and environmental studies. This has enabled us to gain a wider understanding of the issues at stake. Our main areas of concern are for the people of Glynogwr, Gilfach Goch, Evanstown, Tonyrefail and surrounding areas. These are all a few miles North of Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. |
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We are not against renewable energy schemes, but following an examination of Government statistics and the available information from pro and anti Wind Farm Lobbyists we have formed the opinion that wind turbines are an inefficient and costly means of producing green energy. They are simply not viable without government subsidies and are just a "knee-jerk" response to a call for more renewable energy. There are far more efficient and cost effective means of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels; a serious planned and funded drive for energy efficiency, use of the plentiful indigenous methane deposits in the South Wales Coalfield, power production from anaerobic digesters, wave and tidal generation to name but a few. We are in regular contact with, and support like, minded organisations not only in Wales but across the UK & Europe. |
Facts The spread of Wind Farms will do irreparable damage to Wales Uplands. It will have an adverse effect on Tourism, a major industry in Wales. House values will be reduced in the vicinity of Windfarms. There is a real risk to health from low-frequency noise. Thousands of Wind Turbines will inevitably lead to thousands of Electricity lines being supported by thousands of Electricity pylons ----Perish the thought! |
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Caution! Don't imagine that once the ~25 year lifetime of a windfarm is up the site will be dismantled and fully restored .It is anticipated that the prohibitive costs associated with the infrastructure, roadways, foundations etc will limit the restoration to an absolute minimum Alternatively older wind turbines could simply be replaced by even bigger and yet more costly ones! Once we've got them, we'll be stuck with them! |
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The EU has decreed that UK shall generate 15% of its electricity from renewables by 2020 (presumably without considering whether this is an appropriate or realisable figure!). The UK government has taken this figure seriously, unlike most other European governments who tend to ignore such decrees (unless it suits them). As a result 7,000 new wind turbines are proposed! The Welsh Assembly reissued the TAN8 Renewable Energy document in 2005. If you are a landowner or developer, it's a "licence to print money. However, it fails to provide adequate protection for the Welsh countryside. |
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