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Letter to the Editor

Irish Times - Submitted 28 March 2001

RE: 'Green' Wind Energy?

Dear Sir,

I'm sure most of your readers are aware of the pressure on Ireland to
produce renewable energy that has a low impact on the environment. Windfarms
are seen as green energy and are promoted as such. The Irish Peatland
Conservation Council (IPCC) agree that wind energy is a cleaner way of
producing electricity than the burning of non-renewables such as peat, which
pollute our atmosphere and destroy our once natural boglands.

However, wind energy can be described as anything but 'green' if located in
the wrong environment. The article by Irish Times correspondent Theresa
Judge last Friday on the proposed windfarm of 67 turbines and 25 miles of
road in the Ox Mountains failed to mention that the proposed development is
within an internationally important blanket bog which is designated as a
Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and as such 'protected' by national and
European law. Ireland must learn to understand that bogland SAC's are home
to the most endangered plants and animals in Europe and are of utmost
importance in conserving biodiversity. Windfarms are not compatible with
nature conservation in upland sites as they facilitate erosion and damage
fragile peatland ecosystems.

The planning system has been unable to keep up with the rapid development of
windfarms. It is evident from the chaotic manner in which they are being
proposed that there is no strategic approach to the siting of windfarms.
Since 1998 IPCC have called for the completion of an upland survey and for
Minister Noel Dempsey to draw up new guidelines to ensure that windfarms are
sited in appropriate locations. Local authorities should be obliged to zone
suitable areas within counties where such developments would be permitted,
and avoid areas that are earmarked for nature conservation.

Building a windfarm within a SAC, even entertaining such a proposal is
outrageous. Unless the appropriate government conservation and planning
agencies make SAC's a no-go for such developments we will continue to erode
away our heritage of upland bogs which we are committed to protecting.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Crushell
Conservation Officer

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