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English-based friends and associates of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who objected to plans for a wind turbine near her former Scottish home, have been dismissed as “King’s Road aristocrats” by a local councillor in favour of the scheme. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10201856/Councillor-dismisses-Kings-Road-artistrocrats-objecting-to-wind-farm-near-Queen-Mothers-castle.html

German coal-fired power plants have been operating in full swing in the first half of 2013. Lignite and hard coal power plants and gas plants produced 12.4 percent more power than last year. In contrast, wind turbines and solar panels delivered less electricity. German greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Read more

The boss of one of Britain’s biggest energy companies has warned that the Government’s new plan to stave off the growing threat of blackouts could increase the risk of the lights going out. http://www.thegwpf.org/uk-power-companies/

German utility E.ON is considering dismantling some European power plants that have been mothballed because of poor profitability and relocating them to faster-growing emerging markets such as Turkey, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal Wednesday. http://www.thegwpf.org/germanys-biggest-energy-company-considers-fleeing-europe/

Wind farm campaigners have accused the Ministry of Defence of attacking the economy of the Western Isles by effectively imposing a ban against turbines. http://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/233977-council-at-odds-with-mod-over-plans-for-wind-turbines-on-uist/

Communities in east Fife are being given the opportunity to learn about construction plans for the new offshore prototype wind turbine which is being erected at Methil’s Energy Park, at a special information evening next week. http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/open-evening-for-samsung-construction-1-3012380

Landmark ruling on Berwickshire windfarm A Court of Session judge has capped the costs that a Berwickshire woman will have to pay even if she loses her legal challenge against Scottish Borders Council (SBC), which recently approved plans for a wind farm on her doorstep. The ruling is the first Read more

By Stuart Findlay Bird charity RSPB Scotland fears that an expansion of a large windfarm will lead to more eagles being killed by spinning rotors. The RSPB has already expressed deep concerns at the predicted impact that two, already approved developments – Muaitheabhal and Muaitheabhal East on Eisgein Estate on Read more