Published at 11:39, Monday, 01 June 2009

THE number of giant offshore wind turbines planned for the coast of Cumbria could be heading for the 500 mark.

CONTROVERSIAL IN SCENIC AREAS: Wind turbines

Energy firm E.on wants to build up to 100 turbines off the West Cumbrian coast to generate enough energy to power 195,000 homes.

It is though the site it is interested in is close to the Solway Firth, where 60 turbines are being built for the Robin Rigg Field.

There are already 30 giant turbines in the Barrow Offshore Wind wind farm, and permission has been given for nearly 300 more including 102 for the Walney Wind Farm, and 152 for the West of Duddon Sands wind farm a few miles off Walney.

The Ormonde wind far will see 30 giant turbines as tall as Blackpool Tower, also off Walney.

It all adds up to around 460 turbines off the Cumbrian coast if all schemes go ahead, and more schemes could follow.

E.on was one of nine companies granted an exclusivity agreement by The Crown Estate in February to build offshore wind farms in Scottish waters.

Robin Rigg is one of the UK’s largest offshore wind farms.

The turbines tower as high as 420 feet above the sea and are visible from the Lakeland fells.

Dr Brian Irving, manager of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: “This is one of the last unspoiled estuaries in the UK and more wind turbines would change it from a wild area to an industrial area and that is wrong.

“I would prefer them out in the Irish Sea rather than in the neck of the Solway Firth.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk