Wind farm debate intensifies

Wind farms can be controversial

A debate over the generation of electricity from a wind farm off the north coast of Northern Ireland has intensified.

The developers came face-to-face for the first time on Thursday night with representatives from the council of one of the areas affected by the proposals.

Limavady Council is one of several whose residents will look out on the planned wind farm in the sea between Portstewart in County Londonderry and Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

If the project goes ahead, one third of the output of Kilroot Power Station could be generated by 50 windmills in the Inishowen peninsula.

Sir Reg Empey: Chose consortium

However, the north coast is famous for its sea views and some residents feel "clean" energy would be generated to the detriment of tourism - one of the area's main incomes.

If successful, the wind farm could supply power to 170,000 homes, 28% of all homes in Northern Ireland.

If the £200m project does go ahead,it will be the largest off-shore wind farm in the United Kingdom.

A consortium, chosen by the Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey, has been appointed to investigate the feasibility of the project.

The consortium is made up of B9 Energy Offshore Developments, Renewable Energy Systems and Powergen Renewables Developments.

Exploration

The consortium was chosen following a tender process that began last February.

B9 and Powergen are already involved in the operation of wind farms in Northern Ireland and RES is regarded as one of the world's leading wind energy developers.

If initial exploration is successful, work on constructing the wind farm could start in 2005.

And if the plan receives approval from the executive by June next year, the Crown Estate will issue it with a 50-year lease.

When the scheme was first mooted in February there were protests from people in the area who said it would be a blot on their landscape.