Mauprévoir Environnement

Your Health
There are many studies from medical authorities and scientists around the world suggesting a number of conditions said to result from living near wind turbines. In other countries, they are sited a minimum distance of 1 Kilometre from dwellings, but France has reduced this distance to just 500 metres – just over twice the height of the turbines themselves.

Yet in countries where they are erected further away, there are already reports of problems from 'infrasound' or low frequency sound, detectable by some individuals and said to cause sleep disorders and mental stress. Other's report problems resulting from the stroboscopic effects of the slowly rotating blades.

It is not just people who are impacted - there are many claims from around the world that livestock can suffer detrimental effects. From animals born with deformities to spontaneous abortion or milk reduction, restlessness and early death, all are said to have occurred only after wind turbines were erected nearby, in some cases causing the closure of long established agricultural businesses.

Campaigners point out the animals do not read newspapers, the internet or watch TV, so there can be no argument that these complaints are psychological, suggesting that a change of environment brought about by wind turbines is the most likely cause.

It must be said that other scientific research suggest no such risks to either people or animals, but this is recent technology and there are bound to be conflicting opinions.

Meanwhile, are you prepared to become part of a great experiment and to take that risk for your family, children and yourself?

L'Étang de Baro

23% of Mauprévoir is designated by Natura 2000, while the proposed site for the southern-most wind turbine is less than two kilometres from the border of the 'Zone de Protection Spécial Région De Pressac, Étang de Combourg'.

Described as a 'wet complex of regional importance', it is a winter feeding and resting area for 500 to 1000 ducks and coots, as well as other migratory birds. The region's largest colony of Gray Herons and its second largest colony of Purple Herons live there along with a significant number of raptors and shrikes.

The 3,400 ha area includes many ponds, a large oak grove and areas of moorland. Its ponds allow the development of aquatic vegetation including reed beds and willow-alder etc, essential to the avifauna.

The proposed wind farm's proximity to this important protected area could have critical impact on the wildlife living there. In particular, migrating birds - including the thousands of cranes that head for the north each spring and return towards Spain in the Autumn - follow their traditional route directly over the line of wind turbines proposed for Mauprévoir. When the cloud is low, they can often be seen in huge flocks well below the height of the proposed wind turbines.

Bel Air

Eleven wind turbines so close to people’s homes are bound to impact lifestyle. Rotating blades cast a long shadow across the landscape and the constant flashing red lights at night are frequently quoted as a significant intrusion on night skies.

In France, it is typically estimated that homes within sight of nearby turbines can lose 20% to 50% of their resale value. You may not be planning to sell up and leave Mauprévoir, but are you prepared to see the value of your children's inheritance plummet because of them?

Our village and the surrounding area is rich in history. L'abbaye Saint-Sauveur de Charroux was founded in the year 784/785. Mauprévoir's Chateau was built by the Abbot of Charroux in the 15th century and is designated as a French 'Monument Historique'.

The nearby Abbey de la Réau dates from the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine, church of St Impere dates from the 11th Century and has sarcophogi from the Merovingian period (ad 481 - 751).

From 1940 to 1943, the commune was divided by the Demarcation Line which crossed today's D10.

Tourism tends to suffer in regions dominated by wind turbines: some departments are removing the designation 'Gîtes de France' from properties near them. Experience elsewhere suggests that areas seeking to develop their tourism could, on the contrary, see local commercial revenues fall.

Production cost per kWh (source EDF)

On average, the kWh is invoiced to the consumer at 15 cents TTC, of which 15% goes to finance renewable energies (CSPE)

So you are already paying for it!

What are the true economic benefits of wind turbines – and to whom?

For each 3MW wind turbine,

• Turbine and foundations: € 7,500 per year
• Posted delivery: € 1,500 per year
• Access path: € 2,000 per year

Revenue to the various levels of public purse:

• Commune € 3,800 per year
• Community of Communes (Montmorillon) € 11,400 per year
• Department (Vienne) € 10,100 per year
• Region (Nouvelle Aquitaine) € 1,500 per year

The total amount of € 37,800 is then multiplied tenfold by the wind operator for resale to EDF, before onward sale to the consumer.

The developer pays taxes and compensation for nuisances during construction. Paid one time only.

There will be a lowering of redistribution payments to Mauprevoir from the richer communes along with declining revenues from housing taxes, due to demographic changes.

Negative impacts on local revenues:

• Wind energy creates Zero local employment 
• Investment in wind energy means less investment in local agriculture 

Although the developer pays taxes and a one-off compensation for nuisances during construction,  against this, there will be:

• A reduction in 'redistribution' payments made to Mauprevoir from the richer communes
• Declining revenues from housing taxes, due to demographic changes. 

Agriculture
Diversified crops, sheep and cattle breeding accounts for 80% of land use in Mauprévoir. Owners of agricultural land receive financial compensation for wind turbines erected on their land, but there are future consequences......

The landowner becomes the sole owner of the wind turbines at the end of the lease signed with the developer. In 20 or 30 years, there will be energy sources other than onshore wind and the operational life of the turbine will end.

The landowner will then need to spend between € 200,000 and £ 350,000 (at today's prices) to dismantle each wind turbine on his land – or, if he cannot,  it could fall upon the commune to pay.

The land will cease to be classified as 'agricultural use', so any applicable tax breaks or advantages including inheritance, will be lost. There is is also the matter of some 1,680 tonnes of concrete used to support each wind turbine which would be extremely difficult and probably cost prohibitive to remove.

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Impact of Construction and National Economy

Foundations for one wind turbine (carbon footprint):  600 m3 of concrete 1,680 tonnes of concrete and steel

Wind power accounts for just 3.9% of electricity produced in France.

Wind is an intermittent energy that is impossible to store.

To replace the existing 2,900 MW plant at Civaux would require 5,200 land-based 2 MW wind turbines.

Replacing all the Nuclear Power Plants in France (63GW) would require 113,000 land-based wind turbines, or one every 1,500m of usable rural space.

French Energy Transition Law has set a target of 25,000 wind turbines, which is one every 6,500m.

Thermal power stations (oil, gas) are still required for days when there is not enough wind.

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