A giant wind farm risks blinding radar used to track Russian jets and missiles, the Ministry of Defence has warned as it opposes Net Zero plans to build 23 turbines twice the height of Big Ben in Yorkshire. The Telegraph has the story.
[Military officials] say that [the turbines] would interfere with nearby RAF air traffic control systems and an air defence radar set up to spot enemy jets.
It would prevent the RAF “from effectively performing its primary function of air defence of the United Kingdom”, according to a letter seen by the Telegraph.
The Hope Moor Wind Farm is on the fast-track planning scheme for green energy projects. The final decision on whether it will go ahead will be made by Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Energy Secretary.
Ed Miliband, the former energy secretary, changed the rules in December to ensure that onshore wind projects could be classed as nationally significant infrastructure projects and bypass the local planning system.
However, there have been clashes between the MoD and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero over the location and size of the developments.
The MoD has said a number of trials have demonstrated the “adverse impact” that wind farms have on the UK’s air defence capability.
Turbine blades both clutter the radar and can create a signal similar to that of fast-moving aircraft, “curtailing the RAF’s ability to detect incoming, low-flying, aircraft threats”.
The MoD said: “Consider a low-flying object near a wind farm. The ability to at first detect and then track is the major objective of air surveillance. Any disruption caused by excessive clutter may adversely affect national security and/or safety.”
Fred Olsen Renewables, a Norwegian developer, said Hope Moor could generate enough renewable electricity to power around 135,000 homes and support the UK’s Net Zero goals.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: Ian Botham writes in the Telegraph that on Sunday he will be leading a march in Yorkshire to “protest structures that will put green ideology ahead of our national security”.
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Would you not have thought this would have been dealt with behind closed doors about ten or more years ago?
If this folly goes ahead, stand by for renaming the location No-Hope Moor on all MoD maps.
“Fred Olsen Renewables, a Norwegian developer, said Hope Moor could generate enough renewable electricity to power around 135,000 homes”
Could…if the wind is blowing and there is demand…