Aussie Noise Nuisance Court Beating Renewable Energy Investors Paniced Investors – Frustrated With That?

Essay by Eric Worrall

h/t CTM, Mr.; According to ABC, a recent court ruling upheld a resident’s claim that wind turbines produce noise that has caused “ripples of uncertainty” throughout the Renewable Energy industry.

Alinta says wind farm court ruling will have ‘incredible’ and terrifying impact on renewable energy investment

According to the energy reporter Daniel Mercer
Posted at 20:00 20 hours ago, updated 19 hours ago

One of Australia’s biggest renewable energy investors says the court’s decision to uphold claims against a wind farm in Victoria could have “astonishing” and chilling effects. for the country’s transition away from fossil fuels.

Alinta boss Jeff Dimery, whose company is one of Australia’s largest private energy suppliers, said the Victorian Supreme Court ruling would be a “shock” to existing firms. plans to invest billions of dollars in new wind farms.

In its decision, the court upheld claims against the 106MW Bald Hills wind farm in the southeastern part of the state because neighbors claimed they were unable to sleep because of the noise from the project..

Justice Melinda Richards ordered project operators to turn off parts of the wind farm at night until noise levels can be reduced to an acceptable level.

She also demanded that the operators pay the damaged neighbors more than a quarter of a million dollars in costs and damages.

Mr Dimery said the decision would raise “waves of doubt” over the renewable energy industry around the country based on the potential precedent it sets for other wind farms.

The long-term effects could be significant, he said, noting that the ruling could scare off developers by making wind farms harder to build and less attractive financially.

“It was a disaster,” Mr. Dimery said.

“I have to say this is a pretty tragic ending.

“This court decision certainly changes the risk appetite for investors.

“I think there’s going to be some pretty serious ramifications at the back of this.”

…

Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-25/chill-winds-for-renewable-sector/100940308

WUWT wrote about the Bald Hills Wind Farm case in 2021, but at the time Looks like the residents are gone. So personally, I’m happy to announce that this story seems to have a happy ending.

WUWT has written frequently about the environmental impact of wind turbines, including claims about adverse health effects from wind turbine infrasound waves. There have even been claims Wind turbine noise leads to whales hunting, because it messes with their sense of navigation. But cases where plaintiffs get legal relief because of wind turbine noise are rare. Let’s hope that this case wins, protecting the right of residents to not have their sleep interrupted by mechanical anomalies “green energy” is the first of many.