Island residents oppose wind farms  

Credit:  Ott Tammik, Estonian Public Broadcasting, news.err.ee 27 May 2011 ~~

Some Hiiumaa residents are less than thrilled about a plan to build 200 sea-based wind turbines off the island’s northern and western coasts, saying that the generators threaten isolated area’s reputation for beauty and tranquility.

In response to an environmental impact report released by the Ministry of the Environment in April, nonprofits raised concerns that the three clusters of wind turbines, especially one to be established near a harbor, would mar the seaside view of the sunset.

In a statement sent to the ministry, they also said the wind farms would generate unwanted noise in an area where motorboats are already prohibited, and that construction could potentially harm the marine habitat.

Moreover, locals fear that the turbines – the biggest of which are 95 meters tall with a 126-meter diameter – would be a turnoff for tourists. “Ours will become an industry landscape. Until now, the plus side of Hiiumaa’s development is that it has been void of industry. Everything is quiet and we have a reputation for our clean and untouched nature,” community representative Harda Roosna told uudised.err.ee.

Nelja Energia began developing the Hiiumaa wind farms in 2006 under its subsidiary Hiiumaa Offshore Tuulepark.