Gunfleet Wind Farm - first turbine installed

Cantata

Cantata

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Not sure I'm a fan of these things, living in full view of the Kentish Flats wind farm which doesn't often seem to produce a lot of amps - but anyway, the first windmill has been installed at the Gunfleet. Some words and a picture if you follow the the link in the 'Latest News' section HERE .
 
Well I think they are great. Good navigation marks and you don't get that zitting feel in your head that you do as you go past Bradwell or Dungeness. Of course they are not in the way of my view. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
I am opening a book on how long it will take before this wind fam starts to become inoperative. By all accounts the farm on the Scrobies is running at less than 50% capacity at its best!

A total waste of time and a drain of finances (no doubt being funded by grants from either HMG or the EEC - maybe both?).

Nuclear power IS the answer!
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

The Nuclear decommissioning authority have been auctioning off land for new sites. EDF have been bidding on land at Bradwell where they already own some land. As building is due to start in 2013 to meet targets of new stations by 2017 (thought to be a short timescale) then planning processes need to start before too long.

Does anyone know how they built Bradwell Power Station - surely they can't have brought all that up by road - are we going to see a temporary dock inside the baffle so they can use barges? Could be a pain, but we do need it. Another blot on the landscape for Tillergirl in W Mersea.
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

[ QUOTE ]
Could be a pain, but we do need it. Another blot on the landscape for Tillergirl in W Mersea.

[/ QUOTE ] As regards efficiency of power production, then I think the answer is a resounding YES! A blot on the landscape? Compared to the ruination of the seascape that these blasted wind farms are causing, it is a VERY small price to pay!

OK, living in Brightlingsea, we are not quite as 'on the doorstep' as Tillergirl is, BUT the Power station being there has never caused any undue concern to my enjoyment of sailing our part of the East Coast...this damned wind farm will spoil the "enjoyment" of a windward slog up or down the Wallet!!
 
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I am opening a book on how long it will take before this wind fam starts to become inoperative. By all accounts the farm on the Scrobies is running at less than 50% capacity at its best!.............

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That would be good. The Kentish Flats figures showed between 25-29% last time I looked. All 30 gearboxes have been replaced (each necessitating a jack-up barge and a huge crane, I wonder how that was paid for) and some have been replaced again.
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

I think they are interesting to go and sail around. Can't seee that thay affect the view. The sea looks pretty flat normally and these add a bit of something to look at.

Bit like the gun towers in the Thames. People probably thought they were an eyesore when being built to shoot down the jerries - now they are seen as a piece of our history.
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

I've sailed around the ones just east of Copenhagen. Quite delightful and unlike the Gunfleet Sands there were no depth restrictions so you could sail right up to the bases under the swishing blades. Of course I wouldn't like to hit one of the bases on a dark and stormy night.
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

I'll ask Jeff now I'm back from my teaching travels - well for a while. Many people in Mersea worked on the Power Station and I believe a lot of gear came in by sea. The masts of Gunfleet are surprisingly visible from Mersea - not that I can see them since I'm three lines of houses back from t'sea. I would like to think that they will work but......

I am not deeply opposed to Bradwell - I seem to recall I just pointed out that it's b'ugly and the whine on a still night (for when the Wind turbines aren't working) was surprising loud over here. What I objected to was the keenness of someone in Oxfordshire on the banks of the Thames to have it here when if it was that safe, it surely could be built on the banks of the Thames - in Oxfordshire. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

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What I objected to was the keenness of someone in Oxfordshire on the banks of the Thames to have it here when if it was that safe, it surely could be built on the banks of the Thames - in Oxfordshire. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Putting Bradwell Power Station in Oxfordshire? That would make for a really dire leading mark to the Blackwater/Colne confluence wouldn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

We might have to sacrifice that convenience so that Oxfordshire can have its turn. Anyway, isn't going to take half a lifetime to take the old one down?
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

[ QUOTE ]
I've sailed around the ones just east of Copenhagen. Quite delightful and unlike the Gunfleet Sands there were no depth restrictions so you could sail right up to the bases under the swishing blades. Of course I wouldn't like to hit one of the bases on a dark and stormy night.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm worried about suction !

Could help us to windward a bit though.
 
Those of us who sail past turbines in their hundreds in Holland always note how many are hors de combat - perhaps Dutchies don't need so much power, I hear some say - but equally it's costly to clamber up there and repair them when they fail! And when their feet are being massaged by estuarine winds and waves, it's only to be expected that failed turbines will just have to wait for a sunny day - so an even higher rate of inoperability than land based turbines. Well who would have thought it...all those companies who have dumped turbines in favour of actually making a return on capital..?

There has to be a better way.......but in the meanwhile, we have to satisfy the limp-wristed, after all they have a vote too!

BTW - notice Justice Hoffman today saying that the European Court is "trying to impose a federal law" by stealth. Well, stiff me quick, a legal toff has spotted another luny...fair made my day!

PWG
 
Re: Nuclear power IS the answer!

Construction of Bradwell Power Station started in 1957 and was one of the earliest to come on line.

Many of the larger items were shipped in to a specially built jetty built into the River Blackwater with the rest transported by road on the improved Latchingdon to Bradwell road. This proved an initial problem as the arrival of the first large boiler by road was on a hot day and the combined weight of boiler and lorry proved to great for the hot tarmac. From then on other large loads were transported in the early morning or evenings when the roads were cooler. Just the job then for those going to or from the marina!
Morgan
 
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