Wind turbine creates TV interference

By Natalie Lindo
BBC News

The wind turbines were built at the waste transfer site in 2008

Do not adjust your aerial...unless you want digital television for free that is.

A new wind turbine in Bangor has been causing interference to some people's television reception.

So to compensate for the TV nightmares, North Down Borough Council are handing over cheques for £150 to those affected.

In 2008, North Down Borough Council built a wind turbine in Balloo Wood to create green energy for their waste transfer station.

But last year the council asked Ofcom to investigate complaints about TV aerial reception problems.

The council commissioned an Ofcom test at homes where problems were reported.

If the reception is interrupted by the wind turbine you receive £150.

So far North Down Borough Council have been contacted by nine people complaining of reception problems.

The council agreed to pay a fixed price so that people suffering from the 'wind effect' can get their terrestrial aerial replaced with a digital one or a satellite dish.

Ofcom said that eight of those reporting problems had it confirmed the wind turbine was to blame.

Most of the tests were done on houses on Balloo Avenue, the street adjacent to the waste transfer station.

"The problems were caused by the wind turbine which was blocking the TV signal being received by rooftop aerials," a spokesperson for Ofcom said.

"In some cases you could see the interference sweep down the TV screen in time with the rotation of the turbine blades.

"Resolving the TV reception problems in this case is a matter between the council and the residents," he added.

The council and Ofcom said they are investigating "a few more complaints" at the minute.

Wind turbines are also known to produce "shadow flicker" through interruption of sunlight by the turbine blades - which some people believe could have a seizure provoking effect.

It's believed up to four office buildings in the vicinity of the wind turbine have had to have specially fitted blinds to stop this flicker effect.