MoD signs radar deal
UK: The UK's wind plans are set to take a step forward after the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed off a £27 million deal for new radar technology at two air force bases.
The MoD had vetoed the offshore projects in the Greater Wash off the east coast of England, objecting to the clutter effect that the turbines' rotating blades would produce on its air defence radar screens.
Five wind farms totalling more than 3GW and representing some £7 billion of investment were put on hold as a result.
In 2010, the new system was tested at Trimingham, Norfolk, by Serco, the UK partner of radar supplier Lockheed Martin. Serco, who holds the MoD contract, will be responsible for overall performance and will provide consultancy services to wind developers up until 2018.
The radar will now go into Brizlee Wood, Northumberland, and Staxton Wold, North Yorkshire. Westernmost Rough and Humber Gateway are among the projects that have been affected by the issue.
