The Waterford coast is at risk, and we need your help. The Government of Ireland has identified four sites for the development of offshore wind farms off the coast of Co. Waterford within the draft South Coast DMAP. This plan includes the deployment of 330 massive turbines, each towering over 300 meters tall—six times the height of Helvick Head or Brownstown Head.
One of these sites, 'An Tonn Nua' (Site A), is alarmingly close to shore, just 12.4 km from the coast at its nearest point. This proximity threatens our beautiful coastline, biodiversity, and fishing industries.
What We're Asking For
We are calling for the removal of Site A from the plan. This would reduce the number of turbines by 60, an 18% decrease overall, significantly lessening the visual and environmental impact on our cherished coastline.
Why This Matters
Offshore wind energy is crucial for combating climate change, but these wind farms do not need to be so close to our shores. For example, Scotland's Morven wind farm is planned over 60 km from shore in waters between 64 and 75 meters deep and will be operational by 2030. This project uses the same bottom fixed foundations which our government claims cannot be used in waters over 60 meters deep. If the Irish Government is willing to use current advancements in technology and offshore energy deployment techniques, we believe that all wind farms off Waterford can be deployed over 25km from shore in water depths of 65 – 75 meters thus reducing visual and environmental impacts.
The Threat to Our Coastline
Waterford's coastline is a national treasure, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including the Copper Coast UNESCO Geopark and numerous pristine beaches. The proposed offshore wind farms, especially those close to shore, could drastically alter the character and allure of our coastal region.
A recent survey by Blue Horizon, revealed significant public concern:
- 60% of respondents believe that marine biodiversity, including whales, dolphins, fish, and bird species, will be threatened by the introduction of offshore wind farms.
- 81% do not trust the Irish Government to protect our environment from inappropriate wind farm development.
- Over 75% stated that it is very important to use the most up-to-date technology for offshore wind farms to mitigate environmental and visual impacts.
- 70% believe that visitor numbers to the Waterford coastline will decline if large wind turbines are located close to shore.
Biodiversity at Risk
The introduction of offshore wind farms close to shore can significantly impact marine biodiversity. The construction and operation of these turbines can disrupt habitats, migration patterns, and breeding grounds of various marine species. Noise pollution from turbine construction and operation can disturb marine mammals, while the physical presence of turbines can alter water currents and sedimentation patterns, affecting fish populations and other marine life. Protecting our marine biodiversity is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and health of our seas.
Visual Impact and International Best Practices
Independent research from England and Wales recommends that wind turbines between 225m and 300m in height should be located at least 40 km from shore to ensure a low visual impact. The current proposals, placing turbines as close as 12 km from Waterford’s coast, are inconsistent with these findings and international best practices.
Take Action
We urge the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) to reconsider the placement of these wind farms. By requiring a minimum distance of 22 km from the shoreline, we can protect Waterford's natural beauty, marine life, and tourism industry while still contributing to Ireland’s renewable energy goals.
Sign Our Petition
Your voice is crucial in this fight. Blue Horizon asks you to join us in protecting Waterford’s coastline by signing our petition to remove Site A from the South Coast DMAP and ensure that all renewable energy developments are placed at least 22 km offshore. Over 1500 people have already signed the petition within the first week, showing strong community support for this cause. Every signature counts.
Please sign and share the petition at www.bluehorizon.ie. or access the petition by scanning the barcode where you may see it. Let’s stand together to preserve the natural beauty and heritage of Waterford for future generations.
Together, we can make a difference.
Distance to shore is too close
It’s directly impacting the bird life of the back strand which is a recognised protected area.
Site A should be a non-runner as it is much too close to shore and is basically a short-sighted, cheap proposal. Please don’t destroy the natural beauty of this gorgeous coastline which has been here for millennia. It belongs to us all; not the government, not the business people, not the utility providers alone. It is everyone’s.
I live very close to site marked “A” it is far to close to the coastline
This is too close to the coastline and I will effect bio diversity.
I agree. Remove block A ….too close to shore
30 Km @ least from Helvic Head.
Wind turbines are yesterday’s news .there are far better types of renewable energy been used elsewhere that don’t become an issue later on…Germany has fields full of broken wind turbines that are very costly to fix ..i would wonder why Ireland is going for this type . Getting them cheap or vested interests . Id say both . .roll up roll up .Ireland’s for sale anything u want going cheap from the farmland to the sea u just have to have the right lobbyist in your corner
Area A should not be allowed to happen .It is to close to our coast line and would be a complete eye sore to our copper coast .
These eyesore should be located at a distance as not to spoil the natural beauty of our wonderful coastline
To even contemplate the destruction of the Waterford coast so kids can save their tic toks on servers is unforgivable
Remove site A
Please push bank A further out
Re feared decline in visitor numbers, along the entire coastal views from Rhyl to Chester, offshore windfarms are visible and this entire area is flooded with tourist accommodation, hotels and holiday camps.
In Arklow I understand that, within a year of construction, mussel beds were forming on supports in an area which previously had no history of mussel colonies.
I wonder if the creation of such offshore windfarms could lessen the impact of waves on soft coastlines?
I raise these issues, not as an expert, in the hopes of broadening the debate.
Can we get a balanced perspective around the DMAPs please, there’s a lot of disinformation and bias in this piece.
I wish to object to plan as proposed ie plan Aas it would be detrimental to the coastal area marine life etc.
Your comment undermines the entire piece by stating that “a lot of disinformation and bias is in this piece” without specifying any of what you allege.
Is your comment disinformation in itself?
Exactly!! Thank ypu!
Hi Hugh, there’s a reply from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in this week’s edition of The Munster Express.
…”This plan includes the deployment of 330 massive turbines, each towering over 300 meters tall—six times the height of Helvick Head or Brownstown Head.”
If this is true, Zone A proposed will be higher than Skellig Michael (218ms) and same distance out at 12km.
Something to consider!
12 miles off the coast is not going to hurt anyone. Get on with it it’s needed
Guys i am fed up to my teeth with objections to essential projects like this hijacking environmental concerns as a basis for objecting to projects like this Your stated negative environmental facts are baseless and disingenuous risking the biggest threat to this planet namely co2 going into the atmosphere. I wish ye would be honest n your real concerns which is ye dont want to see wind turbines when ye look out your window as same might the value off your properties, although thousands other in ireland have accepted this as a fair trade off for national and international environmental benifits So my advice to ye is look into your souls and examine your reasons for objections as it is certainly not environmental benefits
If this is disinformation maybe you can write a press release to challenge it.
What happens to the fishing grounds where I have been working on for 48 years will I get compensation
Put a red X in all the proposed sites green ✅ make sure you investigate all the sites stop reading the Government issued glossary brochures do your own research and make you sure you put forward a submission before the deadline 14th June 2024..
I was at the consultation in Dunmore east last week and to be honest I was told nothing but lies
We are listening to the people whatever the people want we will give them several times I pulled the person on something only for another to step in with more lies
Please remove Site A from the plan 🙏
If 12km is not far enough out to sea nothing is. We will never get greener cheaper electricity than this.
Site A is a non runner. All sights in Europe and England are 25 kms from shore.
There will be large scale noise pollution with 60 turbines 12.5 kms from land.
The environment will be affected, our Brent Gease will go elsewhere.
Much of this article smacks of NIMBYism, the article is riddled with anti-offshore wind tropes, which have been previously debunked. The clear bias in this article aside I believe we should see wind farms, solar farms, hydroelectric dams. These are reminders that we need energy for our modern lives and perhaps bearing witness to the production of this energy will make us more ready to limit what we use. A bit too convenient to drill gas in other parts of the world and have it pumped to us unseen!
Blue Horizon is a NIMBY echo chamber spouting nonsense as fact. Proximity to shore is not a direct cause of any of the *potential* issues listed other than visual impacts. Comprehensive surveying ensures negatives are outweighed by positives and visual impacts are all relative to an individuals perspective regardless.
At a national level there is nothing iconic about this stretch of coastline.
The munster express and other papers that publish this nonsense for financial gain without ever giving a balanced view are total rags and complicit in the stagnation of development in this country.
Hi, there’s a reply from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in this week’s edition of The Munster Express.
The turbines in location A are simply too close to the shore
Why do you quote figures from England and Wales when all of the UK is no longer part of the EU. It’s about time that common sense was given a chance. Having Wind Turbines 13+ Kilometers from our coast regardless of their height will not spoil the Copper Coast. We owe it to the generation that are coming behind us that we will make a proper effort to generate Electricity in the cleanest way possible way and forget the Nimbyism as it has no part to play in this There is much more at stake. Some people are clapping themselves on the back because 5 Pairs of nesting Golden Eagles were considered to be more important than the energy that could be provided for 20;000 Households in Donegal. The view out to sea might not be great in the future if we cannot generate Electricity to keep the lights on.
Protect our Fabulous southeast coastline remove site A from planned Turbine..Who will benefit from this planned change to our coastline. It will not reduce cost of our electricity only line the pockets of the wealthy investors