Objectors to plans for Inis Meáin wind farm say it is an attack on one of Ireland's great beauty spots.
Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) situated in the middle of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland has been given the go ahead to develop a small wind farm with three wind turbines.
The developer of the scheme, the local co-op on Inis Meáin, welcomes An Bord Pleanála's decision. The island co-op believes the wind farm will be of great importance to the community. As well as producing electricity but it will also provide a desalination plant, providing fresh water to the islanders.
Environmentalists say the location chosen for the turbines is sacrosanct and should be left alone. Derek Hambleton of An Taisce, Galway says anywhere else in the west of Ireland would have been a better site for a wind farm.
Inis Meáin is probably the most inappropriate place or location for this type of development.
He is keen to state that An Tasice supports renewable energy, and are not against wind farms.
It’s the siteing that’s critical.
Plans for the wind farm may face a challenge though European legislation. Three proposals for wind farms are before the European Commission on electricity regulation for Cork Kerry and Donegal.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 March 2000. The reporter is Annette O Donnell.
