Madam, - Like David Bellamy, I do not think it is appropriate to site large wind turbines on blanket bog (The Irish Times, March 6th). There are far better places. I must however, question Prof Bellamy's general opposition to wind turbines.
I'm sure he is right when he says turbines kill bats and birds. But perhaps he should compare this with the numbers of the same species killed by, for example, cars, aeroplanes, modern agricultural practices or the pollution created by the petrochemical industry.
Whatever his misgivings about wind energy, he should still see energy from renewable sources as preferable to the damage to the environment and climate caused by excessive use of fossil fuels.
In Denmark, where over 15 per cent of electricity comes from wind turbines, there has been a tendency in the past few years to site new wind farms off shore. This would appear to be the obvious strategy for Ireland too.
The Greater Dublin area and neighbouring counties account for almost half of Ireland's total electricity requirements. Given this indisputable fact, does it not make sense to locate most of our new wind farms in the shallow waters of the Irish Sea near Dublin Bay?
In other parts of the country, where offshore sites may not be an option, land-based turbines should be located sensitively and with the backing of local communities. - Yours etc.,
ANDY WILSON, Mayo Eco Builders Group, Corrig, Westport, Co Mayo.