Offshore wind farm project gets green light

A wind farm, which could supply electricity to nearly a third of all homes in Northern Ireland moved a step closer today.

A consortium formed by B9 Energy Offshore Developments, Renewable Energy Systems and Powergen Renewables Developments has been chosen by the Crown Estate landlord to explore the potential for an offshore wind farm off the North Coast of Northern Ireland.

The area selected to build the windfarm, known as the Tunes Plateau Site, is five kilometres off Portstewart’s coastline. 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.

The the project could supply electricity to about 170,000 homes in Northern Ireland.

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.

Welcoming the agreement, Sir Reg Empey, Stormont Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said the agreement was the beginning of a thorough exploration into the technical and environmental impact of the offshore wind farm.

“It is important that we take a balanced view on this potential development,” he said.

“We have an obligation to protect all of the Northern Ireland environment through pro-actively seeking renewable energy sources. However we also need to be sensitive to the needs of the local communities living near the proposed project.”

Sir Reg said it was an important project in the overall strategy to develop a sustainable energy system for the province.

However Londonderry UUP Assembly member David McClarty has renewed his calls for a detailed environmental impact report.

He 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.

Frank Parrish, head of the Marine Estate for the Crown Estate said the consortium was “an excellent choice”.

“They have all previously worked in Northern Ireland and their skills mix and financial standing will undoubtedly ensure that the opportunity will be vigorously pursued,” he added.

The Crown Estate as landowner of the UK territorial seabed out to the 12 nautical mile limit, grants leases for activities on the seabed, including windfarm turbines and associated cabling. It does not have a regulatory responsibility and is not part of the Northern Ireland Government's consenting process.

(AMcE)