Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92002E1895

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-1895/02 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Wind power and defence security.** 
  
*Official Journal 277 E , 14/11/2002 P. 0250 - 0251*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1895/02

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Wind power and defence security

According to a Reuters report on 26 May 2002, the UK defence ministry halted a project for a planned wind farm in Britain because wind farms have been shown to damage air force radar activities. A similar claim was made earlier in Norway, inter alia. At the same time the Commission is arguing forcefully in favour of renewable energy sources, including wind power.

In the tense world situation following the events of 11 September, even greater stress is placed on the importance of security aspects. What measures does the Commission propose to take in order to take better account of security policy aspects when considering energy issues amongst others?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Any large, moving structure can produce electromagnetic interference (EMI). This may occur in the case of wind turbines by reflection of signals from the moving rotor blades so that a nearby receiver picks up both a direct and reflected signal. EMI is more severe for metallic materials/blades, and least for wooden blades. Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) which is used in most modern wind turbine blades is practically transparent to electromagnetic waves and therefore intermediate in its EMI effects.

Experience has shown that careful design and siting of wind energy projects will avoid any disturbance to telecommunication systems. Nevertheless, the Commission, via its energy support programmes has supported in the past research and demonstration projects on innovative materials for wind turbines and can in principle continue to support such projects through the Sixth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration.

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