Swann urges Wind Turbine Plan to combat Lignite Threat
Mr Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Spokesman on Social Economy, Energy and Consumer Affairs, has said setting up a series of wind turbines along Ulster ’s coasts could finally ‘kill off’ the threat from lignite mining in his native North Antrim .
Mr Swann, a senior member of the North Antrim UUP management committee, made his call as he welcomed the announcement by UK Energy Secretary John Hutton that 7,000 wind turbines were to be installed and operated around Britain ’s coatlines.
The UUP spokesman added: “Such an environmentally friendly move should also see a complete end to any further prospect of lignite mining in North Antrim , rather than just the current extended three-year moratorium, which still leaves the threat hanging over the people of the area, and restricts any further development or advancement.
“I also welcome the launch of the proposed, ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment of the seas around Britain ’, which will identify appropriate sites for the installation and operation of up to 7,000 wind turbines which will have least environmental impact.
“Local Energy and Environmental Ministers in the Stormont Assembly must make sure that Northern Ireland ’s off-shore capacity and capability is not forgotten.
“This step would go a long way to meeting Northern Ireland ’s commitment under the Programme for Government where the Executive has set a firm target that 12% of our electricity must be generated from indigenous renewable sources by 2012.
“Likewise, if this is fully completed, then this initiative could see a major step towards the European Union’s commitment of gaining 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
“Northern Ireland has a major advantage in being positioned in the North West corner of the European land mass and so our off-shore capacity would be well positioned to boost these developments.
“The Northern Ireland grid and electricity suppliers would also benefit as this would allow us to be an energy exporter and so increase our energy security for the future.
“The use of readily available and renewable energy sources must and should be our only long-term aim,” said Mr Swann.