Are we Irish complete gobshites?

Just got to love that line from today's Sustainable Energy blog post -

"Irish firm Airtricity buys $330 million worth of Wind Turbines for installation in Texas. This company are thriving and expanding in the US. They are strengthening the US national security by lessening its dependence on oil. Why in heavens name are we not using this resource in Ireland?"

Indeed, why the hell not? I've got full line of sight to the 18 turbine windfarm Airtricity are building on the hill over looking Newcastlewest in Tournafulla, Co. Limerick. Phase one, consisting of 5 turbines, is complete and a veritable tourist destination! I've already taken two Sunday drives to the feet of these majestic machines. One friend from Dublin was particularly awestruck by the grandeur of the turbines on the approaching climb. As far as I'm concerned they don't damage the view from my house, they enhance it.

Comments

[Justin Mason]

Well said! There was nothing quite like coming into view of the HUGE fields of windmills out on the plains near Palm Springs, in California. an awe-inspiring sight.

[James Corbett]

Maybe we need to get a new movement going Justin - PIMBY!s (Please, in my back yard!)

[mj]

I agree. I love the Wind farm just near the Lake District and the ones up on the Antrim Plateau were visible from my first office - looking at them brought me calm :)

[Damien Mulley]

Govt has slowed them from connecting to national grid so they took business elsewhere. Two years to connect or something

[James Corbett]

Tom Raftery has posted some interesting information on his blog about the problems with wind power. Interesting to learn but I'm amazed if there aren't solutions to those problems, or how other countries manage to get around them if not.

[Chris Byrne]

Spot on, I've done a few tourist trips for folks to the tralee turbs myself (!) personally I think they are elegant. Certainly beats those awful wooden things with the wires on top. And the ESB didn't need planning permission either!

[Evert Bopp]

From my livingroom window I have full view of the Derrybrien windfarm and quite honestly they are butt-ugly to look at. having been away from Ireland for a few years I was dissapointed to notice how many of these blights have sprung up all over the country.
Also don't get me started on the economics of wind-power. It's just not worth it. Nuclear is really the only way forward.

E.