by Alan Quick

AVIVA Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, has acquired a portfolio of UK onshore wind farms from RES, including Den Brook Wind Farm.

The acquisition was made on behalf of the Aviva Investors Infrastructure Income Fund and represents a further addition to its existing portfolio of investments in wind energy. 

Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) says it will continue to be the asset manager of the wind farm, undertaking its day-to-day operational responsibility, including delivering and managing the community benefits package totalling £90,000 per year.

At the October meeting of the Den Brook Wind Farm Community Liaison Group, held at North Tawton Community Primary School, there was strong criticism from the public about the non-attendance at the meeting of any representatives from West Devon Borough Council.

Members of the group and members of the public said they had hoped to ask questions relating to the environmental, noise and planning issues.

Immediately prior to the meeting, West Devon Borough Council issued a statement which read: "The council will continue to liaise with the consultant (Hayes McKenzie) so that there is a clear understanding of the scheme and expectations of the council and oversight of RES’s compliance measurements.

"There has been agreement between West Devon Borough Council, Mid Devon District Council and RES to have clear and regular communication between ourselves on noise complaints, the purpose is to have a better overview of the number/location/type, so that we can effectively identify any issues and resolve as required.

"The council has responded to number of enquiries relating to the potential for noise complaints regarding the site. The Officer attending the previous meeting sought to clarify the Council’s interpretation of the condition 21 scheme.

"With regards to the meeting on October 13 there are no items on the agenda that are directly related to environmental health or planning matters. Issues raised in relation to noise, and contained in the table of work attached to the minutes of May 12, were discussed in the previous meeting.

"Any questions arising in the question and answer session relating to matters relating to Environmental Health or Planning can be dealt with by written correspondence with the appropriate Officer and relayed back to the Meeting secretary and then to residents."

The meeting was attended by more than 50 members of the public, local council representatives and others from Mid Devon District Council and RES.

It included a number of progress reports from RES, including construction of the wind farm, works associated with the wind farm, the Local Electricity Discount Scheme and Community Benefit Fund.

Minutes of the previous meeting were updated and principal areas of discussion included noise conditions, tubing proximity to the railway line, Whiddon Down Link Road, compliance testing, conditions and breaches, blade flicker, etc.

Consent for the nine 120 metre high turbines at Den Brook Valley, between North Tawton, Spreyton and Bow was granted in 2009.

Construction began in August 2015, was completed this summer and the wind farm became operational in November 2016.

RES says the turbines are capable of generating 18 megawatts of renewable electricity, sufficient to power more than 9,000 UK homes (based on a capacity factor of 39.1 per cent and DECC average annual home equivalent of 4128kWh).

Although RES has sold the wind farm, RES says it remains the first point of contact for community enquiries.

Contact details can be found on the website: http://www.den-brook.co.uk/contact-us/ .