DARD must take responsibility for wind turbine fiasco
17 June 2008
Jim Allister MEP has said DARD must accept responsibility for funds it committed to a scheme, under which dangerous and defective wind turbines have been erected.
Of 26 turbines grant aided under DARD’s Wind Energy for Rural Businesses scheme (WERB) -an EU funded scheme under the Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (BSP), 11 turbines have proven defective and extremely dangerous.
Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister said,
“Firstly, I am appalled that of the 26 turbines erected under WERB, 11 turbines of one variety have posed a serious health and safety risk from day one. I have met with some of the farmers who have installed this Chinese Powerbreeze variety, and I have been shown pictures of propellers which have dislodged from these turbines, and the significant damage this has created on more than one occasion.”
“DARD contracted with WREAN to administer these funds, despite the fact that an FOI request I commissioned has revealed WREAN did not have a feasibility study, a business plan or an economic appraisal in place. This in itself illustrates a worrying lack of due diligence on the part of the Department in the administration of public funds.”
“The notion that DARD can somehow distribute EU funds but wash their hands of the consequences, shows a lack of credibility, and incompetence on its part. To date, DARD has at the very least abdicated the moral responsibility it has to compensate those farmers who invested heavily in the Powerbreeze turbines, which have proven so grossly defective. Furthermore, the Assembly Agriculture committee has had over 12 months to assist the farmers and small businessmen concerned, yet nothing has happened.”
“Quite frankly, I am amazed that such defective and dangerous turbines have been installed under a Government funded scheme. I trust that by bringing these matters into the public domain via the BBC Nolan Show, DARD will have no option but to work towards a resolution for those farmers affected.”
ENDS
