Domestic wind turbines pose radar threat, MoD warns

Vital radar systems at airfields such as RAF Leuchars could suffer interference if people are allowed to put up domestic wind turbines, the Ministry of Defence has warned.

By Grant Smith
Published in the Courier : 15.06.10
Published online : 15.06.10 @ 11.13am

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It has told the Scottish Government that its proposals to make it easier to install power generation equipment are risky as the maximum size of the blades is almost 40% too big.

Ministers have suggested dropping the need for planning permission for micro wind turbines provided systems fit certain criteria.

But the MoD and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, which operates Dundee airport, have criticised the research used to back the concept, saying it had not properly taken into account the impact the spinning blades can have on communications, radar and other air navigation aids.

The government has suggested granting what are known as permitted development rights for domestic turbines with blades up to 3.5 metres across and whose height would be no more than 11.1 metres.

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But the MoD is worried these systems would still be big enough to cause problems for air traffic, air defence and weather radar and also potentially cause physical obstructions to the managed air space around aerodromes.

Jon Wilson, safeguarding officer with Defence Estates, said, "The MoD and another aviation stakeholders were not involved or represented in this research programme. As a consequence this research has not recognised the full implications of micro wind turbines on aviation and other defence interests.

"It is important to recognise that while commercial-scale wind turbines have the greatest potential to cause interference to radar systems by virtue of their greater size, one should not presumed that small-scale turbines, individually or cumulatively, do not adversely affect radar systems."

He said the proposed 3.5 metre diameter for turbine blades was too much because the radar cross-section would be big enough to interfere with military equipment.

He said, "Permitted development rights for micro-wind turbines should only apply to turbines that do not exceed a maximum rotor diameter of 2.2 metres."

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