Eco storm blows up over Irish wind farm pollution
IRELAND'S wind farms have a devastating impact on fragile ecosystems and contribute to global warming, according to an international study published last week.
The report suggested that scenes like the major mudslide in Derrybrien, Co Galway, in October 2003 could become more common-place.
The study, published in the New Scientist magazine, examined the impact of wind farms on countries throughout the world. It suggested that scenes like the Derrybrien "bogalanche" could become increasingly common occurrences as the so-called "hidden costs of wind turbines" begin to emerge.
Essentially, the report shows that large wind farms can increase carbon dioxide emissions during construction, have significant impact on local wildlife, and destabilise and ultimately break down ecosystems.
Included in the report is a documentation of how the richest countries in the world are embracing wind power as a viable alternative energy source. Worldwide, in 2005 wind power generation capacity grew by 43 per cent and companies in the US spent over $3bn on wind power infrastructure.
The report questioned the notion of building wind farms on peat bogs which are described as "long-term carbon dioxide stores, much of which is allowed pollute the air during construction". Initial examinations of the Derrybrien incident have shown that as a result of the mudslide, the amount of carbon dioxide released would "nullify the carbon savings during the lifetime of two turbines there".
Richard Lindsay, peat expert from the University of East London, who compiled a report on the Derrybrien incident for the local residents, said building such wind farms on peat bogs can be dangerous as peat performs many unseen functions, including playing "a critical role in providing clean drinking water".
Also included in the report is the significant impact on birds, large numbers of which are killed by wind farms every year.
Bird protection is a long-standing hot issue between wind farm developers and animal activists. It is estimated that every year, wind turbines kill almost 1,500 birds of prey.
Responding to the article, Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, recently increased Ireland's target for the consumption of renewable energy-sourced electricity to 15 per cent of consumption, or 1,650 megawatts, by 2010.
He said: "Wind energy development will be the main technology involved in achieving this target. At the same time, it is critical to ensure that, in designing and constructing wind energy projects, any potential adverse environmental impacts are avoided, reduced or mitigated."
However, a spokesman for the department also said that the construction of wind farms was essentially a private company matter.
Wind power is now a sizeable venture in this country. In its latest annual report, wind power company Airtricity - which has 45,000 customers in Ireland - said its revenue for the 15 months to the end of March was ?236m, compared with ?127m in the 12 months to the end of December 2004.
