Sir, - Richard Keane (February 17th) seems to be convinced that after reading an American best-seller one would inevitably come to a level of insight he seems to be eager to share with the readers of this paper.
Unlike the rather arguable statement that it is "increased profits which sustain the economic boom of America . . .", the strange fascination with the "buzz of a refrigerator" and the "slowly revolving giant 32-meter arms", as well as the questionable comparison between the Duke of Beaufort and "enlightened" landowners, he makes one valid point in his letter: wind energy is better than burning fossil fuels. He states the obvious, but misses the point completely.
The issue is not about the pros and cons of wind energy. It is about planning. It is about planning authorities and central governments who failed to issue a clear policy on wind energy and thereby stimulated some landowners to start developments for what are misleadingly called wind "arms" in areas that, because of their rare and unique beauty, are obviously unsuitable for any development that has severe visual impact.
Ireland has a long coastline and the square-mileage of its territorial waters is far larger than the total square-mileage of the few interesting, beautiful mountain ranges which are areas of recreation, meditation and nature.
The countries most experienced in implementing wind energy, such as Denmark and the Netherlands (no mountains) are currently working on plans for huge off-shore wind-turbine installations. Ireland has unfortunately already put up a few clusters of massive wind-turbines in very visible, high altitude places. But the tide is changing. Authorities now turn down applications for wind-turbines in scenic areas, because they recognise that natural heritage has to be protected. Also some real entrepreneurs are willing to invest in off-shore wind energy developments. It is they - if anyone - who could claim to be "enlightened".
Wind energy should be promoted properly and not by landowners who want to jump at an opportunity to economically utilize their property. The real promoters of wind energy are those who want the development of it to be as unobtrusive as possible as well as those investors who have regard for our natural heritage. - Yours, etc.,
Tim Van Der Knaap, Mt Melleray, Co Waterford.