Save Benbradagh 'extremely worried' about 'decarbonisation' targets in Programme for Government

The Dungiven and Sperrins-based Save Benbradagh environmental group has expressed “grave concern” at the ambitious ‘decarbonisation’ targets contained in the Executive’s Programme For Government.

Published on Monday afternoon (March 3), the Programme For Government 2024-2027, Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most, was agreed by the Executive on February 27, following a one-day delay.

Speaking to The County Derry Post, a spokesperson for Save Benbradagh contended the impact of the Executive's stated position of the North becoming a ‘net exporter of renewables’ “has not been properly assessed or communicated to the public”. 

Under the Programme for Government’s priority to “Grow a Globally Competitive and Sustainable Economy”, the Executive’s proposed action on ‘Decarbonisation’ stated: “We will seek to achieve self-sufficiency in our own clean and affordable energy.

“We have the natural resources including wind, biomethane, and geothermal to break the link with global energy prices, and not only supply our own consumers’ energy needs, but also to become a net exporter of renewables. 

“This will unlock carbon emissions reduction and economic growth here.”

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Last week Catriona McReynolds, a member of the ‘Save Benbradagh’ committee, hand-delivered a letter of objection to Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd

Describing Save Benbradagh as “extremely worried”, the spokesperson argued such a move would destroy “landscapes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)”.

They said: “[The Executive is] effectively giving global corporations and developers a blank ticket to turn our scenic landscapes and AONBs into wide scale industrial wind factories, to enable them to sell electricity elsewhere.

“It will have massive detrimental impacts on our countryside, rural communities and tourism industry.

“Northern Ireland is a very small landmass with a very high rural population, approximately 36%, which is higher than other regions.

“It already has double the onshore wind turbines per km2 than the Republic of Ireland, with onshore wind representing circa 85% of our current 50% renewables. In addition, it is proposed to double that density to meet 2030’s renewable electricity targets of 80%,” said the spokesperson.

According to Save Benbradagh, the North is the only region pursuing what its spokesperson described as “effectively a non-diverse 2030 energy strategy, in which onshore wind is to account for circa 65-70% of the 80% target.

“This is due to the fact, offshore wind is unlikely to be in place by 2032, for reasons which have not been explained or made known to the electorate,” they added.

“In comparison, the Republic of Ireland is aiming for 33% offshore wind, 33% onshore wind, and 33% solar. England, Scotland and Wales together are aiming for 50% offshore wind, with the remaining 30% made up of solar and onshore wind.

“Northern Ireland’s non-diverse renewable energy generation is already creating massive disparity and discriminatory impacts for rural communities, in terms of loss of sense of place and cultural identity; impacts on heritage; outdoor recreational areas; and tourism. It is also creating fractures and deep divisions in previously tight-knit rural communities. 

“This is resulting in huge stress and mental health impacts for these communities, as  reported to rural and mental health organisations. This disparity does not accord with the principles of a ‘Just Transition’.

 “Our landscapes will be further industrialised by over-reliance on onshore wind proposed to meet 2030 targets.  The additional ambition of the Executive  to become a ‘net exporter of renewables, is thus highly concerning,” said the spokesperson.

They added that the public in Northern Ireland was “not properly aware of what this proposal entails,” said the Save Benbradagh spokesperson.

“It hasn’t been quantified or capped, nor its implications detailed; nor was it included in any political party election manifestos. 

“Equality impact screenings have not been properly carried out nor has proper rural impact assessments been carried out as required under the Rural Needs Acts 2016.

 “This proposed action will have huge, long-lasting and dire consequences. 

“There is currently no cap on wind turbine sizes/ heights within Northern Ireland planning policy or guidelines; onshore turbines are now available worldwide up to 240m in height, the equivalent of an 80 storey building,” said the spokesperson who added that the proposed action around decarbonisation needed “transparency, proper assessment, and detailed scrutiny”.