Yes we do have enough, we certainly don't need any to ruin Cumwhinton, thanks but no thanks Mr Watson.

When I was a lad I studied Electrical engineering which covered Generation and distribution of electricity. The information then was that the most wasteful part of this system is in the distribution of the electricity. Therefore all generating plant would be best sited near to the point of use. As Cumbria has more electricty created by wind turbines than it needs, it would be wasteful of any other turbine to be located withing Cumbria. The time has come for these turbines to be located where there is a greater need for electricity than there is generating plant for that location. How about Hyde Park in London?

Why isn't money being spent on tidal energy? We know when the tides are and when they will be higher/lower than the norm, they are consistent and have less visual impact than windmills?

The wind farm out in the Solway is a horrible blight on our landscape, but then the green brigade won't be happy until every inch of our countryside and coast is covered in these 'things'. There wouldn't be a fraction of the applications for windfarms if the developers were not cashing in on every grant and incentive going.

I see some petty and VERY inaccurate comments being thrown about on here regarding wind turbines. While bit's and pieces of information are correct in some way there are a lot of incorrect theories.

The comment regarding using an electric motor to turn the turbines and thus costing money is true. The turbines are turned to give them an initial start up rotation up tot he speed at which the wind will carry on turning the blades. Now the other comments regarding deformation is true. As a marine engineer with 20 years experience, it is engineering common knowledge that any piece of rotating machinery be it an electric motor driven pump, compressor, any engine etc, when shut down for a period of time, these machines will be rotated by whichever means suitable to the circumstances to prevent not just deformation, but also with lubrication system in operation for bearings etc to maintain an oil wedge/seal in drive bearings etc. A car engine, before anyone says it is different due to the much smaller masses etc involved in a car engine.

However, looking at our local area with a view to turbines of the future, look out tot he Solway Firth. It's not exactly the most romantic sea view, mud flats most of the time. This could all be dredged out over time but there's no need these days as there's no shipping up this way. I would encourage companies to expand on the very small turbine field that's been constructed already and use what is effectively a "dead" piece of water.

They are ruining priceless lake district views, why don't they put them around cities where it wouldn't matter? I live in Newcastle and it's windier here than in Cumbria. It's an insult, they think the they can do what they want with what they see as a backward region. I think David Cameron should lead by example and get one in his garden, then it wouldn't upset as many people.

Alan Brown: "My point is too many people throw ridiculous and wrong comments around." QED.

I'll quote ray 'with no wind, they are powered by large motors, which take energy'

Not sure about you but I dont read that as stopping or starting and Rich I'm sure you'll agree the energy used in the startup or shut down is a fraction of the amount used or generated overall. A recent comment on another story said the turbines need to kept turning in the winter to stop them freezing!

My point is too many people throw ridiculous and wrong comments around.

@Alan Brown. Alan. You couldn't be more wrong and you've slipped up with your own example. When ships dock you engage the turning gear on to the engine which is hard coupled to the shaft and propellor to very slowly turn it all over to stop deformation. Just as they do with wind turbines. It's slow but is being powered to turn. PS. I'm a marine engineer serving on dozens of huge ocean going vessels over the last 30 years.

alan, BillB is correct in what he says. You do see wind turbines that are not turning weather it is windy or not, but they will be restarted at some point, and others will be stopped in their place.

They cost electricity users so much money and really are not worth it - do some research of your own online and figure it out for yourself, starting with how they work - them large ones do have a motor in their heads.

I'm not a fan of nuclear power, but it is alot more feasible than wind power.