Windfarm proposals cause a storm in NI

A fierce war of words is raging over proposals for a £200m (€305m) windfarm off the scenic north coast of Northern Ireland.

Central to the argument is whether tourists will be put off by a mass of turbines three miles offshore.

The local tourism industry says they will – the potential developers say they won’t and cite a survey they had carried out among visitors.

If given the go-ahead it would consist of up to 60 turbines capable of providing 170,000 homes – 28% of all residences in Northern Ireland – with “green” energy.

Exploration work and a feasibility and environmental impact assessment is being undertaken on the Tunes Plateau after the Crown Estate last summer entered into an exclusive agreement with a consortium formed by B9 Energy Offshore Developments, Renewable Energy Systems and Powergen Renewables Developments to examine the potential for the site.

The site is in shallow water about three miles from the Co Derry shore in the mouth of Lough Foyle.

The turbines would be visible from the coast for miles around, including Co Donegal.

People along the Co Derry and Co Antrim coast – famous for its long sandy beaches and the Giant’s Causeway tourist magnet, expressed fears “the blot on the landscape” would drive visitors away.

The regional tourism organisation said the windfarm could spell disaster for the local tourism industry.

Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens Ltd said the ill effects of the windfarm plans would be felt across its membership.

The plans would be “a chill wind for a sector trying to build business in an already tough economic climate,” it said.

Don Wilmont, manager of the tourism body, said: “The ill effects of this plan, should it come to fruition, cannot be over-estimated and they would be far-reaching.”

He said that while not everyone in the tourism group actually overlooked the “fabulous” north coast “we all recognise its importance to us as a major tourist attraction”.

“If its pulling power were to be in any way diminished, then all of us across the region would suffer,” he added.

“When it comes to attracting tourists to Northern Ireland, we face enough difficulties without creating more,” said Mr Wilmont

“The Giant’s Causeway is so impressive that it has gained international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The installation of a windfarm can only serve to damage natural treasures which we should all be fighting to preserve and enhance, “ she added.

But according to an independent survey carried out for the energy consortium the siting of the windfarm off the coast would not deter tourists.

Carried out by Market Research Northern Ireland , it found 84% of tourists visiting the popular holiday area would not be discouraged from further visits if the project went ahead.

The study also showed that 60% of those questioned felt a development similar to the one under consideration would have either no effect on the landscape or would actually have a positive one.

The Board of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is set to decide its views when it discusses the issue at its next meeting later this month.

A spokeswoman said the “Potential visual impact of the windfarm from the north coast will be carefully considered”.