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24/01/2003
Environmental groups have open mind over wind farm
Local environmental groups have said that they are keeping an open mind on plans for an offshore wind farm at Tunes Plateau, off the north coast of Northern Ireland.
The RSPB, Friends of the Earth, WWF Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Environment Link, the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust and the Ulster Wildlife Trust made their comments during meetings with the consortium investigating Tunes Plateau as a potential site for a wind farm.
John Woods, Director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, said: “Harnessing the power of offshore wind is the only realistic way that Northern Ireland can play its proper part in the fight against climate change and we have a responsibility to maximise the potential of Tunes Plateau.”
Clive Mellon, RSPB Northern Ireland’s Senior Conservation Officer, added: “We welcome the opportunity to have an input into the feasibility study which is addressing some very complex issues including bird movements.
“The study should identify whether the Tunes Plateau proposal would have any adverse impacts on birds or other wildlife. It is RSPB’s policy to support renewable energy sources provided that adverse impacts on wildlife are avoided by appropriate siting and design."
At the meetings, staff from the consortium gave in-depth presentations on the Tunes Plateau proposal and led discussions about the environmental impact assessments being carried out by independent experts. The environmental groups attending the meeting were assured that the potential impacts of the proposed wind farm, including those on local wildlife and ecology, would be carefully assessed.
A spokesperson for the consortium said: "We’re encouraged that so many key environmental groups are prepared to keep an open mind about the project and recognise the crucial contribution it can make to meeting our renewable energy targets."
The meetings are part of an ongoing consultation programme organised by the consortium.
The consortium has held 30 meetings with local groups, helping it find out the opinions of local people, as well as to discuss the facts about the wind farm.
If built, the wind farm would be situated 5km to 10km from the Inishowen peninsula and would take up an area of around 25km sq. It would prevent the emission of around 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.
(GMcG)
The RSPB, Friends of the Earth, WWF Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Environment Link, the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust and the Ulster Wildlife Trust made their comments during meetings with the consortium investigating Tunes Plateau as a potential site for a wind farm.
John Woods, Director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, said: “Harnessing the power of offshore wind is the only realistic way that Northern Ireland can play its proper part in the fight against climate change and we have a responsibility to maximise the potential of Tunes Plateau.”
Clive Mellon, RSPB Northern Ireland’s Senior Conservation Officer, added: “We welcome the opportunity to have an input into the feasibility study which is addressing some very complex issues including bird movements.
“The study should identify whether the Tunes Plateau proposal would have any adverse impacts on birds or other wildlife. It is RSPB’s policy to support renewable energy sources provided that adverse impacts on wildlife are avoided by appropriate siting and design."
At the meetings, staff from the consortium gave in-depth presentations on the Tunes Plateau proposal and led discussions about the environmental impact assessments being carried out by independent experts. The environmental groups attending the meeting were assured that the potential impacts of the proposed wind farm, including those on local wildlife and ecology, would be carefully assessed.
A spokesperson for the consortium said: "We’re encouraged that so many key environmental groups are prepared to keep an open mind about the project and recognise the crucial contribution it can make to meeting our renewable energy targets."
The meetings are part of an ongoing consultation programme organised by the consortium.
The consortium has held 30 meetings with local groups, helping it find out the opinions of local people, as well as to discuss the facts about the wind farm.
If built, the wind farm would be situated 5km to 10km from the Inishowen peninsula and would take up an area of around 25km sq. It would prevent the emission of around 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.
(GMcG)
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