September 29, 2010
Isle of Man

Calls for wind farm alternatives on Isle of Man

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 29 September 2010

Residents at a public meeting to view proposals for a wind farm on the Manx coast have called for alternative wave and tidal projects to be considered.

UK-based Ocean Electric Power outlined plans for up to 10 130m-high wind turbines to be situated along the coastline at Jurby

The firm said the scheme would help the government reach its 2015 renewable energy target of target of 15%.

Almost 200 people raised concerns about noise, vibration and house prices.

David Cannan, MHK for Michael, who called the meeting at Ballaugh parish hall, is to table a motion in Tynwald next month, calling on the government to look at alternative energy sources.
‘Harsh reality’

He said: “The people of the Isle of Man can make a judgement on the wind proposals and the case for tidal generation.

“The only thing that I thought was spin in the meeting was that tidal generation will take 10 or 20 years to come to fruition , when we all know that 40 miles across the sea here the turbines are working and the electricity is produced into the grid in Northern Ireland.”

Chief executive of Ocean Electric Power Chris Bale said he supported wave and tidal power, but claimed they were not yet viable.

He said: “One of the things that brought me to the island in the first place was the prospect of doing a tidal stream project off the north of the island, but the cold harsh reality is that the technology is not mature today and it will probably take another decade or so before it becomes mature, but I very much hope it can be made possible one day.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/29/calls-for-wind-farm-alternatives-on-isle-of-man/