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Wind is blowing over city turbine future
SHEFFIELD is one of the windiest spots in the whole of England - but the problem is that its breeziest areas are also some of its most beautiful.
And it is this conflict between cherished scenery and environmental needs that will be played out in the debate over wind farms in the city's boundary over the next few years.
Despite its high wind speeds at present there are only small scale wind power projects in existence in Sheffield, such as the one at Heeley City Farm.
The Government has set Sheffield a target of producing 10.6 megawatts (MW) of electricity by renewable sources by 2010, and more than 50 MW by 2021.
The targets will mean more wind farms appearing around the city in the next few years.
If councillors give the go-ahead to the Westwood Country Park scheme the council hopes a developer could be signed up before the end of the year, with work starting on site by late next year.
Once operational the wind farm would provide enough electricity for thousands of homes.
But before that can happen a widespread consultation process will have to be carried out with local people to see what the level of objections might be.
As well as the flying club and walkers, Westwood Country Park is used for grazing cattle and by local fishermen, although the council has promised to find the flying club a new home if it was forced to relocate.
Sheffield Council has identified a number of other sites which could be used in the future including Skye Edge, Redmires, Dore and Totley and Butterwaite Farm, near Ecclesfield - and says the Peak District has not been ruled out.
According to the British Wind Energy Association, which campaigns in favour of wind farms, Sheffield winds would have to reach around 10 miles an hour for the turbines to start operating.
When the wind stops blowing, electricity continues to be provided by other forms such as gas.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
