Wind Farm Developers, Defense Ministry Tackle Radar Problem
Wind farm developers are working with the Defense Ministry to find a solution to a situation in which potential interference with air defense radars has hindered many turbine projects.
Developers have proposed to provide funding for the construction of a new radar installation in exchange for more leniency in issuing licenses to build wind farms, reported ERR radio.
Currently one in four wind farm proposals end up being rejected by the Defense Ministry because of proximity to the Muhu and Kellavere monitoring radar systems. Even more projects have been forced to decrease the number of planned turbines or relocate them.
Developers have offered to pay for the reconfiguration of radar systems or for construction of a new radar, and the ministry is in the course of drafting a bill to find a compromise.
Last spring, the Interior Ministry refused to endorse an earlier version of the bill. Minister of Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler, who is under the Interior Ministry's portfolio, said developers should not have to pay for costs that fall under the government's responsibility.
"It is very easy to lose the clear line between public and private interests. The rules of the game must be very precise and clear, so to avoid any sense that planning can somehow be bought,” Kiisler said.
But the head of the Wind Power Association, Tuuliki Kasonen, said developers will readily pick up the tab.
Kasonen also asserted that the government currently lacks criteria for assessing whether a planned turbine could potentially interfere with radar operations.
Ott Tammik