OFFSHORE WIND FIGHTING AT NORMANDY BEACHHEAD

Analysis - Anti-wind groups seek advantage from D-Day row

Jan Dodd, June 13,2013 (Windpower Monthly)

“A storm is raging over whether it is appropriate to install 75 wind turbines at the 450MW Courseulles-sur-Mer project, 10 kilometres off the Normandy coast and within view of memorial sites commemorating the D-Day landings during World War II…This is one of the most sensitive aspects of the project, says Claude Brévan, president of the special commission, which was set up as a neutral and independent body to run the public debate in Normandy and canvassing opinion from British and Canadian war veteran groups…

“…[Some] veterans view the idea of a coastal development of wind turbines unthinkable, and assume that sense will prevail to cause the structures to be moved further along the coast [but are not expected to protest approval]…More worrying is the stance of the Fédération Environnement Durable (FED), an umbrella group opposed to industrial-scale wind power, which has already derailed a number of onshore projects…”

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“The French government is keen to push ahead with the 450MW project, which has overwhelming political and popular support in lower Normandy. But with the 70th anniversary of the landing next year and many veterans now in their 90s, the development has sparked an understandably emotional response…

“…[Developer Eolien Maritime France (EMF), a consortium of EDF Energies Nouvelles and Dong Energy says] many structures have already been built along the beaches without raising an outcry…[and the site, selected] by the government after broad consultation, is located well away from the WWII conflict zone…The project has already been modified to lower the visual impact from the landing beaches, reducing its planned footprint by 35%...The public debate will continue until the end of 20 July, with EMF due to make its final investment decision in 2015..”

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