Mepa is proposing that roof-mounted micro-wind turbines are to be located in industrial areas as identified in the approved Local Plans and outside development zone locations. When micro-wind turbines are located in industrial areas the overall height should not exceed 20 metres when measured from the ground and, when located in an outside development zone, the overall height of the wind turbine does not exceed five metres when measured from roof level.

The turbine should not be located on roofs of scheduled/listed buildings and on any property within a buffer of 30 metres of such buildings, or on military buildings of historic or architectural merit.

When the micro-wind turbines are proposed within an ODZ location, they need to be located over roofs of legally permitted large buildings whereby any potential visual impacts can be minimised by the massing, height and composition of the building and the extent of the large roof area.

The turbine should not have a significant negative impact on bird populations (migratory or resident) or bat populations and thus may require an assessment of potential impacts.

The colour and finishing of the rotor should also be taken in consideration and preferably they should be finished in a colour that would render them less conspicuous in the surrounding environment.

Proposals which include more than one roof-mounted wind turbine or proposals on sites where a roof turbine already exists require a more rigorous assessment.

Mepa will only consider roof mounted micro-wind turbines in urban areas (within the development zone) for research purposes provided that the research is carried out by a reputable organisation.

Mepa has published a proposed Planning Guidance for Micro-Wind Turbines.

This draft document, which is currently up for public consultation, can be viewed on web- site www.mepa.org.mt and any comments or suggestions can be sent through e-mail address: microwind@mepa.org.mt by September 11.