Stop Trying to Delay Windfarms - Environmentalists Rebuke Tactics of Conservation Groups

Friends of the Earth Cymru (FOE Cymru) has countered the call of conservation groups who want a public inquiry into the Cefn Croes windfarm (1). The environmentalists say that the conservation groups are trying to bog down the windfarm proposal in a lengthy and costly public inquiry after the Council voted heavily in favour of the scheme after a long public debate. Ceredigion Council even convened a public meeting about the scheme.

One of the groups CPRW said yesterday (2) that "there are many other places where windfarms can be set up." Yet, say FOE Cymru they are effectively opposing all proposals, most recently at the Tir Mostyn windfarm inquiry in Denbighshire (3). The environmentalists would like to know where CPRW or any of the other groups would suggest windfarms could be built.

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson for FOE Cymru said:

"The public want to do their bit to tackle damaging climate change and support the battered rural economy. Windfarms do both, generating cheap, clean, safe electricity from thin air and rent and rates to the region.

The anti windfarm campaigners did not make headway in a long public debate about Cefn Croes. Now they are trying to delay the scheme in a costly public inquiry and even say that there are plenty of other places to build windfarms. Yet, only weeks ago several of these same groups opposed a smaller scheme in Denbighshire at Public Inquiry arguing it could be seen from the Snowdonia and Clwydian mountain ranges. In effect, they are opposing anything that is proposed.

The opponents of wind energy have damaged their own case by the endless repetition of false claims about wind technology and scaremongering exaggerations about thousands of turbines across Wales.

The level of their debate needs to be raised. It should not be about if windfarms should be built but how much and where, both on and offshore."

Notes

1) Conservation groups CPRW, CNP, Wildlife Trusts Wales, National Trust Wales, Snowdonia Society, Ramblers Association (Press Release 28.01.02)

2) Radio 5 Breakfast Programme 28.01.02 (Transcript below).

3) Tir Mostyn & Foel Goch Windfarm Public Inquiry 4th-18th December 2001. CPRW Coalition gave evidence against scheme on grounds of visual impact, etc.

Background Information about Cefn Croes Scheme:

Cefn Croes application 39 * 1.5MW turbines (100 metres to blade tip), 58MW Installed Capacity which would produce an AVERAGE of about 20 MW or about 1% of electricity consumption in Wales.

The Cefn Croes windfarm application was given planning permission by a resounding 18 votes to 3 by Ceredigion Council after months of press and public debate including two packed public meetings, one convened by the Council.

At 58 MW maximum output the Cefn Croes scheme would easily generate all of Ceredigions electricity consumption, and it exceeds the 50 MW threshold for DTi determination of power station applications. Large generating schemes need final consent from the DTI because their output effects the grid and the wider UK electricity network. In December, energy minister Brian Wilson gave the Cefn Croes application the final consent under the Electricity Act following the granting of planning permission by the Council.

FOE Cymru say that all the independent public opinion polls around windfarms to date have consistently shown majority support for the schemes. For example, 29% residents around the Taff Ely windfarm say that the windfarm makes the scenery more interesting as opposed to 19% who say it spoils the scenery, most were not bothered by it.

ROW OVER WIND FARM IN WALES - six major conservation groups are calling for a public inquiry. STUDIO INTERVIEW: BRIAN WILSON, MP, ENERGY MINISTER - there was no elected body saying don't do this. There has to be a strong body of opinion before a public inquiry is held. The local body voted in favour of the development following public submissions and advice. That went to the Welsh Assembly, they recognised there was benefits.

STUDIO INTERVIEW: MERVYN WILLIAMS, COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF RURAL WALES
- We are objecting to the fact that this is the first time a project of this massive size has been proposed. We have not had a chance to have our say. This area was almost made into a national park. If this was in England there would be a huge outcry and this would not go ahead. There are many other places where wind farms can be set up.