For Immediate Release
Monday 31 May 2004
Oldham Labour Euro MP identifies European research to back windfarm campaign
Oldham Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy says European expertise says reject windfarm blot on the Saddleworth landscape. Arlene has submitted research evidence to Oldham Council based on European research on wind energy use.
The report points out that in countries such as Denmark where wind energy is more developed experts have now come to the conclusion that off shore sites give the best energy returns and environmentally less intrusive. Arlene said "I made some enquiries in Brussels as to the current thinking on wind energy development.
The report is clear that offshore siting of windfarms is the best option. "I want the Council's Planning Committee to consider this evidence, in particular as we should learns from the experience of other European countries and look to best and most efficient practice."
"We have the opportunity to block the blot on the Saddleworth landscape if the right decision is taken to persuade United Utilities that the maximum wind energy output can be best achieved offshore. We have miles of coastline that can accommodate these windfarms without intruding on the Saddleworth countryside."
Notes from Editors
Link to the publication on wind energy by the Danish Energy Authority:
"Interest in the potential of the development of offshore wind energy has grown more or less in step with the up-scaling of wind turbines. The overall maximum height of the tower and rotor of the wind turbine of about 150 meters, meant that the MW wind turbines would dominate the landscape and that the precondition for continued large-scale development of wind energy in Denmark would be the exploitation of the offshore potential."
Suzanne Richard's Political Manager to: Arlene McCarthy MEP Labour Member of the European Parliament for the North West Region Express Networks 1 George Leigh Street Manchester M4 5DL T: 0161 906 0801 F: 0161 906 0802 Direct line: 0161 909 5108 Mobile: 07811 175617 suzanne.richards@easynet.co.uk Brussels: T: 00 322 284 5501 / F: 00 322 284 9501 Strasbourg: T: 00 333 88 17 5501 / F: 00 333 88 17 9501 www.arlenemccarthy.labour.co.uk