Renewed call for rethink over onshore wind farm

A pressure group opposed to the development of an onshore wind farm in the south of the Isle of Man has called for the project to be halted over fears for local wildlife.

It follows a French court ruling that found the companies behind a wind farm in the country responsible for the deaths of 160 rare birds at the site.

Kirrie Jenkins of Cair Vie Resistance said the case should act as a "wake up call" for Manx Utilities (MU) and the island's government.

MU, which plans to built four turbines in Earystane Plantation as part of the government's commitment to move to net-zero emissions, said it was "following due process".

The Criminal Court of Montpellier found French firm EDF Renewables, along with nine other companies, was responsible for the deaths of 160 protected birds at a wind farm in Aumelas.

Among the rulings, the court fined each of the firms €500,000, of which €250,000 was suspended, and ordered the suspension of activity at the site for four months.

Those convicted have launched appeals.

On the Isle of Man, the proposed Cair Vie wind project is expected to generate a quarter of the island's annual electricity needs.

Ms Jenkins said that while the court ruling was for a 31 turbine farm in France, it applied to the Isle of Man with the proposed site being on a bird migratory route as well as an internationally recognised important area for birds.

She argued that it was "not green energy if it is affecting our biodiversity" and it was "irreplaceable species" that would be impacted.

Calling for the re-evaluation of the plans following the court ruling, she said the proposed Cair Vie development was the "wrong project in the wrong place".

In a statement, MU said it was conducting "comprehensive environmental impact assessments and implementing effective mitigation measures".

It was "important that the island continues to enjoy its security of supply and maintains its independence; whilst also moving away from imported fossil fuels and stabilising energy prices for the island community", the government-owned utilities provider continued.

The authority's design and mitigation approach would be "reviewed by independent experts as part of the planning process", it added.

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