Wind Turbines - Renewable Energy

Alan Wells joined Banks Renewables team as a senior project manager in October 2019. Alan has experience of 14 year career in the UK and Scandinavian renewable energy industries. 

He has a background in engineering, technical sales and project management which give him a wide skill base to call upon.  His recent experience includes managing the construction of Clashindarroch Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire, Middle Muir Wind Farm off the M74 north west of Crawfordjohn (Supply and installation of 15x senvion 3.4M114 Wind turbines). 

He also was involved with the supply and installation of 7x Senvion 4.2M118 Wind turbines at the Vardafjellet Wind Farm, Norway.


Alan explained the impact of wind farms and his experiences of heat pump and manufacturing of wind turbines. Banks Renewables has transitioned across from coal interests into renewables in the same way as the country has.

We noted the planning process does not always reach local community and hear their feedback. Individuals can have a large impact on planning. Alan was interested in finding out from club members the support that does or doesn’t exist for wind farms.

Impacts can be on site fauna, animals, ecology, on the landscape and on the community 

Consideration is given to forestry and peat bogs. Wind farms manage the landscape in a way that is not normally done and can be improved by a wind farm.

Landscape- impact on the eye.
250 metre is current biggest.
Bigger turbines rather than greater number.

Community - Can be both positive and negative.

Every wind farm in Scotland needs a Community Benefit Fund (CBF). Last year benefit £20m across 250 wind farms. £400,000 per year given to Middle Muir through CBF. Benefit will also be in training and jobs. Challenge is getting community involved in spending the CBF.

Questions to Alan lasted as long as his presentation with members wanting to know more.  Subjects covered included power source during the meeting was, in Uk 49% gas, in Scotland 54% wind, 34% water.

Power from wind is significantly cheaper to generate. Too much wind can cause wind farms to be turned off and power companies have to pay the opportunity cost. Batteries are key to power storage. 

Lifespan of current turbines is 25 years probably 30 years for new ones. The decommissioning guaranteed by developers bond, section 75 agreement.

Question over implications on health, nuisance of noise. Noisiest at mid power because full wind would reduce the noise. Strobing effects are modelled to be taken into consideration.

The vote of thanks was given by PP Alan Farquharson.