We recently highlighted differing expert views on how to resolve the conflicting needs for wind energy and conservation. Two favoured balancing the issues on a case-by-case basis and being guided by precedents – which seems pretty rational. But a third was more wind-industry aligned and thought offering effective “bribes” in the form of cheap electricity to local people is the way to go – which it surely isn’t, as conservation would never get a fair hearing. Now the wind farm lobby has come up with an even dodgier plan:
“Ministers are investigating a proposal to outsource the production of wind power to Ireland. Faced with fervent and growing opposition to onshore wind farms in the UK, Tory MPs are backing a plan to site those facilities in Ireland – and then export the renewable energy generated back to Britain using cables running under the Irish Sea, to Wales.” 700 turbines would be built using British Government subsidies on The Bog of Allen, an archaeological and natural treasure described by one Irish public body as “as much a part of Irish natural heritage as the Book of Kells”.
Bog of Allen, Offaly, soon to host 700 wind turbines supplying green energy to Britain?
Is that troubling? Dumping the downside onto the Irish but enjoying the benefits ourselves? Should we pay the Irish to store our nuclear waste too?! The scheme is the brainchild of American company Element Power who say “the Irish have a less reactionary attitude to onshore wind turbine developments than the British.” Do they? Or is it that the Irish government is known to have a conveniently uncaring attitude towards heritage conservation?
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14/12/2013 at 21:35
Agnes Doolan
We Irish are appalled at the prospect of giant turbines in the Irish landcape to supply electricity to anyone. This is a project driven by big money, specifically Hudson Clean Energy, an American private equity company.
15/12/2013 at 23:40
Damien
At present there are several meetings being held throughout Ireland in ŕelation to the construction of these large windfarms. Topic being discussed are, size, distancs from nearest dwellings, flicker, infrasound, large pylons to carry the power and health issues. The Irish people and NOT in agreement with the construction of these turbines. Many farmers/landowners who have signed up for turbines to be constructed on there lands feel as if they have been conned. Ather looking further into there contracts many problems are now arising. The next step being discussed at our previous meeting is to carry out a large scale protest through Dublin city ending up outside the British embassy. By doing this we feel we will get recognition in Ireland, England and possibly Europe. This project is being lead by “big money” and a very poorly lead Irish government.
17/12/2013 at 07:54
Paul Russell
“We Irish are appalled” Well as an Irish person I am not appalled. We have to face facts. If you do not want Nuclear and you need to cut coal and other fossil fuels then you have to go for renewable. If you do not what that either, then I hope you do not use electricity or own a car or use public transport. Because otherwise your attitude is hypocritical. We are in a Union. The EU is committed to expanding renewables to the maximum extent. So it makes sense to put any wind energy complexes in the windiest places in the Union. We can be happy that all these “no to everything” people were not about in the past or there would be no prehistoric sites because they never would have gotten planning permission.
17/12/2013 at 08:15
heritageaction
But the solution needs to be nuanced doesn’t it? SOME turbines in SOME places yes, other turbines in other places, no. A simple “all turbines are fine” attitude is pretty unthinking, and exactly what the developers want people to say.
Incidentally, your view that “it makes sense to put any wind energy complexes in the windiest places in the Union” is not what the developers are saying is it? The Irish Midlands are hardly the windiest place in the union are they? It’s all about where they can get away with it, and they admit it.
17/12/2013 at 11:50
Mick Dolan
Hereitageaction, you should be aware that provision of windfarms along our west coast is prohibited – on the grounds of areas os special appeal or some other reason. NIMBYism is alive and well. Ireland is a much more sparsely populated country and the Bog of Allen is almost deserted – and incapable, for the most part, of sustaining habitation. If efforts are being made to harness wind for energy instead of continuing to dig up the bog for peat-burning power station, surely this action should be applauded. I would far prefer if the rights of the Ireish people to exploit its own natural resources was accept by this British “journal” – I mean, we don’t presume to lecture on extraction of fossil fuels from the North Sea.
17/12/2013 at 12:04
heritageaction
First, as you’ll see above, this Journal is about Britain and Ireland, not just Britain.
Second, our criticism is of Britain, for subsidising in Ireland what it’s own population won’t stand for.
Third, there are plenty of people in Ireland who disagree with your opinion so I guess we’re entitled to publicise the issue.
17/12/2013 at 22:37
derricktaxi59
The whole issue of ‘is wind farming an economic and environmentally sustainable response to British industries needs for cheaper energy’ is not being addressed in Ireland! Our government is craven in it’s anxiety to sell off natural assets to the highest bidder in response to the requirements of the Troika. And to fulfil national debt pay-back obligations. British industry is, therefore, to be subsidised by having the Irish people provide it with cheaper energy which works against our own industry interest surely? Irelands ‘Green Clean’ image and out citizens rights to a healthy lifestyle are also being sold off, to satisfy multi-national greed.
06/03/2014 at 20:57
Margaret Mulligan
The galling thing about the windfarms is the fact that their sole purpose is to provide energy for export to UK and EU. The power generated needs a means of transmission so ESB Eirgrid have decided that it’s just fine to criss cross the country with pylons and HV lines instead of placing a lot of them underground. Apart from the visual pollution and the health effects from EMF, it is important to ask why the people of Ireland have to pay for what is a huge industry – the developers (who include quite a number of greedy politicians) must be the ones who pay for the construction of the transmissions lines – without the wind farms there is no need for the proposed/intended Grid projects. Time to start asking pertinent questions and getting answers – forget about the spin and lies.