In view of the winds of the past weeks, some people may be reminding us that benefit might be drawn from it all by multiplying the wind farms we already have. You know, those futuristic-looking tall, gleaming metal structures with whirling blades, the essence of modernity. A young Norwegian journalist has been casting his eye over the British effort, and specifically at the 600-hectare Carmo Wind Farm in Wales, apparently Britain's largest, producing enough energy to supply power to 25,000 of the nearby houses. Overall the British windfarm effort "can only supply 194,000 people," according to our journalist. In Britain, a lobby is urging a target of 10 per cent of wind energy for the future. The machines, it is said, are getting bigger and fewer are needed. Some claim that wind farming can compete with the price of conventional energy.
One big question. Could you live in the neighbourhood of a wind farm? They make, it is said, a hellish noise. The clean austerity of the machines does not, many feel, enhance the environment. A table with the article shows Germany leading with 16.45 of its energy coming from the wind; Denmark is next with 6.73 per cent and Britain, Spain and the Netherlands well below, but at much the same levels. Ireland comes after Sweden, and bottom of the list is France. Some may think: couldn't all of our windmills be set on uninhabited islands off the west coast, if they bother us? This article by Ole Kristian Bjellaanes of Norway appeared in the autumn issue of Europ, the magazine of that most imaginative organisation Fondation Journalistes En Europe, from which many Irish journalists have drawn great benefit. Clodagh Finn and Walt Kilroy were on the 1997-98 course. John Horgan of DCU is the Irish member of the board.
This concept of having about 30 young journalists from all parts of the world set loose in Europe in about nine months of exploration and self-exploration was the inspiration of Philippe Vianney, one of the most remarkable men modern France has produced. He also founded the Glenans sailing organisation. With him was also Hubert BeuveMery, editor/founder of Le Monde. Both men now gone to their reward. And another founder-member of great stature, Gerald Long, died in November. He was formerly head of Reuters, an admirable whirlwind of a man, a great companion. One of his grandparents came from Galway, the other from Mayo. Gerry did much for journalism and journalists in his time. He will be missed greatly.
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