Supporting Documentation - Renfrewshire Council

3.11.2 Telecommunications
Wind turbines can cause interference to local TV and Radio reception either by obstruction or by
reflection. Viewers situated forward of the wind farm (aerial point through the turbines) may have their
signals periodically obstructed by the rotating blades causing a scattering of the signal. Viewers to the
side may experience periodic reflection from the blade, giving rise to a delayed image.
Microwave links can be affected by reflection, blocking and radio frequency interference. Generally a
clear distance of 200m between the boresite of the microwave link and a turbine is set to avoid any
interference.
There are two transmitters, 22m and 13.8m tall, 2.3km Southeast of the proposed turbine location on
Sergeant Law Road, operated by 3 and T-Mobile respectively. There is a 15m telecommunications mast
operated by Orange located approximately 2.8km Northwest of the proposed turbine location by the
electricity substation off the B775. There is a 40.5m telecommunications mast operated by Vodafone at
Sargent Law and six other masts identified on OS Maps approximately 3km away.
Spectrum Licensing, formally known as The Office of Communications (Ofcom), is responsible for the
licensing of two-way radio transmitters and holds a register and database of most microwave links. The
GIS database map was studied on 21 th October 2011 regarding the proposed turbine location to establish
the links that could be affected in the area. Link details were then requested from the affected operators,
and once the position of these links are known they will be checked against the turbine position.
The BBC is responsible for terrestrial television transmission for domestic reception within the UK. The
BBC was consulted on the 11 th October 2011 regarding the potential effects the proposed wind turbine
may have on television reception. Their response states that a turbine erected in the proposed position is
likely to affect 0 homes for which there is no alternative off-air service and 1159 homes for which there
may be an alternative off-air service. The transmitters likely to be affected are Black Hill CH5, Darvel,
Darvel CH5, Black Hill and Uplawmoor.
The BBC’s response takes no account of the size of the proposed turbine which is significantly smaller
than operational turbines found in wind farms generally. The proposed turbine, because of its size, is also
likely to pose fewer potential effects on television reception than larger turbines. Blades are also made
from modern materials such as fibre glass reinforced polyester (GFRP) and consequently present fewer
issues.
The extent of interference will only become apparent once the wind turbine is operational. The turbine
blades may affect analogue signals considerably more than digital signals. Stage 2 of the digital switch
over in this area has already been completed eliminating the concern of interference to analogue signals.
In conclusion interference levels are predicted to be low.
3.12 Cumulative Impact
3.12.1 Regional
RenewableUK maintain records of wind farms which are operational, under construction, consented or in
planning. These are outlined below;
Waterman Group, Renewable Energy, 2/4 Canning Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH3 8ER T:0131 221 7020
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K:\Projects\CIV12920_ILI Windfarms_Batch 7\CIV12920_XXX_Hartfield
Farm\Documents\Reports\CIV12920_1202xx_Hartfield_Supporting Turbine Assessment_225kW.docx