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Wind turbines and the environment

Blocking offshore wind farms means higher energy bills, dirtier energy, more pollution

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Sat Aug 31 2024 - 00:08

Sir, – It is not the case that there is a ban or standard in Europe against developing wind farms within 22km from the coast (Letters, August 22nd).

Just recently, in April 2024, Denmark – the world’s leader in wind energy – identified six new marine areas for offshore wind development which are all closer than 22 km at the nearest point to shore and most are 12km to 15 km.

As of the end of 2023, there are 12 GW of offshore wind capacity installed in Europe located within 22 km of the coastline. This accounts for 35 per cent of today’s installed European offshore wind capacity with nearly twice that capacity under construction, with permits or in the planning system.

Floating wind energy is a fantastic technology.

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We know this because we represent the companies, the men and the women who will one day make Ireland a leader in floating wind energy.

It’s more than three years since we published Revolution: A vision for floating wind energy in Ireland, the first detailed policy document setting out how to accelerate the development of floating wind energy in Ireland.

But the debate about our energy transition must be an honest one. There is no way to deliver floating wind energy before the early 2030s and, if we are ever to deliver floating turbines, we need the infrastructure and the supply-chain that will be created by the first phase of projects.

People have the right to campaign against wind energy. But they have an obligation to face the facts. Blocking offshore wind farms means higher energy bills, dirtier energy, more pollution and prolongs our dependency on imported fossil fuels. – Yours, etc,

JUSTIN MORAN,

Director of External Affairs,

Wind Energy Ireland,

Naas,

Co Kildare.