Sir, – Kevin O’Sullivan (News, May 10th) reports on the failure of the Government to support off-shore floating wind power, and instead prioritise fixed-bottom wind farms along the “in-shore” coast of Wicklow, Waterford and Connemara, one of which (Codling in Greystones) will go for planning permission in the coming weeks. These developer-lead plans look fundamentally flawed due to their devastating impact on the environment, including damage to the visual amenity, birdlife and fishing grounds. For example, the wind turbine heights at Codling will be up to 314 metres (almost twice the height of Howth Head at 171m), situated as close as 13km from shore. Independent scientific research has estimated these will be among the most visually intrusive off-shore wind farms anywhere in the world. The developers of these windfarms include French and German state-owned energy companies, largely to meet the power needs of American-owned data centres. Ironically, planning guidelines in France, Germany, and the US would strictly prohibit such a development so close to the shore. If the coastlines of these countries are worth protecting, why isn’t Ireland’s? A better alternative exists with floating offshore wind, and it should be prioritised. – Yours, etc,
PHILIP WHEATLEY,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.