Wind Farm Energy Export Plan Shelved

A plan to develop industrial wind farms in the Midlands to export energy to Britain has been shelved, the government has announced.

Welcoming the news, Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley said that the move presents an opportunity for "proper planning around renewable energy."

Speaking after the announcement by Minister Pat Rabbitte, Deputy Stanley said: "The shelving of the Midlands energy export project has now provided a much needed opportunity for the government to follow through on three key issues not addressed in its energy for export plans.

"A cost benefit analysis to show how this country would benefit in terms of its own plans to generate electricity from renewable sources has yet to be published. Sinn Féin wishes to see any cheaper electricity generated used to address fuel poverty. We believe that this would make better economic sense.

"A comprehensive strategy for energy that encompasses all alternative and renewal resources rather than focusing only on wind has to be a priority for the government.

"We have been promised the publication of a green paper that would allow for discussion around this issue but that has yet to happen. We also believe that too much emphasis is being placed on industrial scale wind farms to the detriment of developing other sources of renewable energy.

"This project was set to go ahead without proper regulation for the construction of wind turbines. This is unacceptable. The guidelines published by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government are clearly inadequate and what is instead required is strict regulation of wind turbine developments. 

"I call on the government to begin addressing these issues immediately."

(MH/JP)