NGOs object to wind farm plans

Three leading NGOs have written to the chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority expressing concern at a proposal for the construction of a wind farm on Marfa Ridge.

Nature Trust, Din l-Art Helwa and BirdLife Malta said they oppose the project on the basis of the extensive damage to the natural environment that will be caused by the construction works as well as subsequent maintenance activities and road access, if the project is given the go ahead.

The NGOs said they appreciate that extensive reliance on conventional forms of energy generation has resulted in climatic changes over the past decades. "Climate change is today a major global threat to the world's wildlife. In light of this, the NGOs have made it clear that they support renewable energy programmes as part of a balanced approach towards tackling climate change.

"The development of renewable energy programmes should form part of a national strategy that considers other forms such as solar power, together with measures directed at encouraging efficient energy use and discouraging wastage together with an assessment of energy generation and consumption patterns," they said.

However, the NGOs said they object to projects that are a direct threat to wildlife and their habitats and that create an eyesore on the natural landscape.

The proposed wind farm project along Marfa Ridge is very close to the Nature Reserve at Ghadira and the cliffs at Qammieh, they said, adding that Marfa Ridge is currently being regenerated by the planting of thousands of indigenous trees in the Foresta 2000 project. The site specifically earmarked for the project includes several garigue areas and houses a number of examples of military architecture including the Red Tower. "The severe visual impact would create an unacceptable eyesore in an area of high scenic value."

The NGOs said ongoing research in Europe and the United States is bringing to light the hazardous nature of wind turbines not only to birds, especially broad-winged species such as raptors and herons, but also to other flying vertebrates such as bats.