McClarty to meet B9 over wind farm proposal

East Londonderry assembly member David McClarty is to meet a senior representative of B9 Energy, who are part of an energy consortium investigating the viability of developing a Wind Farm off the North Coast of Northern Ireland.

A consortium formed by B9 Energy Offshore Developments, Renewable Energy Systems and Powergen Renewables Developments was chosen by the Crown Estate landlord last month to explore the potential for an offshore wind farm at Tunes Plateau Site, five kilometres off Portstewart’s coastline.

The UUP assembly member, who sits on the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee at Stormont, has revealed he will hold discussions with Michael Harper, managing director of B9 to probe further what the impact of a development would have on the area.

Mr McClarty recently said although he welcomed the evolution of renewable energy he wanted to ensure that any project off the Portstewart coastline would not be detrimental to the region.

He added: "This is the biggest issue to affect the North Coast in decades and every effort must be made to ensure that we have all the facts available about the impact of a wind farm before any decision is made.

"I welcome the fact that the managing director of B9 is actively seeking talks about the move. He has also written to district councils in the region about arranging meetings."

If the Wind Farm gets the go ahead it could supply electricity to nearly a third of all homes in Northern Ireland.

It would involve the siting of up to 60 turbines with an installed capacity of between 150MW and 250MW with work to begin in the summer of 2005.

If the consortium obtains the necessary consents from Northern Ireland government departments by June next year, the Crown Estate will issue it with a 50-year lease.

(MB)