Dundee wind turbines "stroboscope" fears
Two giant wind turbines proposed for Dundee Port could cause a safety hazard much worse than any shadow cast by their imposing structures, it has been claimed.
The Michelin turbines dominating the Broughty Ferry skyline.
- Published in the Courier : 01.04.10
- Published online : 05.04.10 @ 08.13pm
A man who lives close to the existing turbines at Michelin said these structures produce a "stroboscope" effect, and the ones proposed for the harbour would do the same which would prove troublesome for motorists and residents in that area.
Forth Energy is set to submit plans to build two 400-feet high structures — roughly the same size as those at Michelin — at Stannergate this summer, a move which has generated fury among local residents.
Most of the opposition has focused around how the turbines would look situated in the heart of the city and in plain view of those heading into Dundee across the Tay Bridge.
The man, who asked not to be named, said a much more serious visual problem will be created through the strobe-like effect, produced when light from a bright or low sun is interrupted by the structures' blades.
The Kellas Road resident said he notices the flickering when he walks past the West Pitkerro Industrial Estate.
He added that the blades could cut off sunlight more than once every second, with a visual result similar to that of a strobe light.
He said, "I can tell you that for six months of the year everybody living on the north side will have the stroboscope effect.
"It is a nightmare because it is like someone is blinking at you twice every second.
"It is the biggest nuisance in the world."
Broughty Ferry Road and Dundee Road West are linked main roads that are often busy with traffic heading both east and west through Dundee and the man said drivers would be affected by the stroboscope effect.
He added, "Imagine you're passing something that, depending on wind speed, could go past three times a second.
"It would drive you crazy. That's the same for drivers coming down Strips of Craigie and going about Broughty Ferry Road, but also the residents of that area."
Forth Energy last night denied a strobe-like effect would be a major problem with the Stannergate structures.
A spokesman for the company said, "Shadow flicker can occur when sunlight passes through the rotating turbine blades casting a periodic shadow over nearby properties.
"This only occurs under certain conditions and the effect is only apparent inside buildings with a narrow window opening."
