If you have been keeping up to date with UK news, you are more than likely to have read about the Conservative party proposition to stop onshore wind subsidies if they get voted into power in the UK 2015 general election. Many of these news articles make reference to the UK Energy Minister Michael Fallon saying that there are “enough” onshore turbines.
This got us thinking about the new wind markets that perhaps don’t have “enough” and are attracting a lot of investment in wind, for example Turkey.
Wind Development in Turkey
There have been various news articles relating to the positive growth for wind development in Turkey. Examples include the announcement late last year that General Electric (GE) will be investing $5 billion (nearly £3 billion) to build a 3000MW wind plant, and a further 700MW will be developed through a joint venture between PNE Wind and Steag.
The country is already reaping the rewards of the wind industry according to Energy Minister Taner Yildiz. An article published on TurkishPress.com reported on how Energy Minister Taner Yildiz revealed that wind power facilities have saved the country $600 million (nearly £357 million) in natural gas imports in 2013.
Wind Development Planning Issues – Aviation and Radar
After reading the above news, we could not help but think of the potential planning issues that Turkish wind developments might encounter. Especially of interest to us was any relating to aviation and radar.
Searching yielded a select number of results. One of which was an article from 2011 that talks about the Turkish Military opposing wind developments due to radar interference. The piece focuses on how developers “will have to request a technical evaluation from Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). The results will be submitted to the army which may then reject the project, approve it or suggest modifications. Developers will be required to pay … to evaluate each megawatt of installed capacity they are proposing.”
This could be compared to similar consultation ideas here in the UK, where onshore wind turbine radar and aviation interference issues are well known by many developers and consultants alike. We alone have been working on resolving these issues in the UK and in other countries for over 10 years now!
Our Advice
After working on 24% of UK wind developments, and dealing with radar and aviation constraints for such a long time, our advice is to think about these constraints early on. In addition, consult with stakeholders sooner rather than later.
Use tools that are available to you. For instance we have online Radar Line of Sight and Obstruction Assessments that can be used to assess wind turbine project sites all over the world.
Wind Development in Turkey – Radar and Aviation Issues
You don’t see much news surrounding the issue of wind farm radar and aviation interference in Turkey, however it doesn’t mean it is non-existent or won’t evolve to be a larger issue. (We have already been consulted regarding objections from Turkish military and civil aviation stakeholders.)
If you are facing a related issue, just know that we are willing to help. You can talk to us about a project by calling +44 (0) 1787 319001 or email info@pagerpower.com.
