Victory: Offshore wind farm will be built at Swansea bay

5 October 2004

The future is looks brighter from Swansea bay, the Scarweather Sands offshore wind farm has made it over the last remaining hurdle in the Welsh Assembly and the project can go ahead without delay.

Assembly members blocked last minute Tory efforts to force another debate on the wind farm, and opponents of the clean energy project have run out of options to try to defeat the proposal.

Although opponents claimed the farm sitting three miles off the coast would be an eyesore, the wind farm will prove to be a boon to the local tourist industry. In a survey carried out last summer, 96% of visitors questioned said they were more likely or just as likely to return to the Swansea Bay resort of Porthcawl if the turbines go up.

Winning the fight for the wind farm and against climate change

This pioneering new wind farm will put South Wales at the forefront of the UK's clean energy future. Scarweather Sands wind farm will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of 80,000 homes - that's equivalent to a town the size of Swansea.

Not only is the wind farm great news for the residents of Swansea bay, but it is brilliant news for the environment.

Wind energy is clean and endlessly renewable. Along with wave, tidal and solar it is the cleanest, safest form of energy there is. The Scarweather Sands wind farm won't affect 'Blue Flag' status of local beaches. It won't damage the surf. Unlike gas and coal power stations, it won't contribute to global warming and unlike nuclear power it won't leave us with a legacy of dangerous radioactive waste.

Support for wind energy

The reasons for supporting wind are clear to local residents. Independent polls show Wales is overwhelmingly in favour of offshore wind farms and 72% want them in their area. Only 10% in Wales are opposed to wind farms. With global warming ruining more and more lives Swansea bay can be proud of the contribution it will now make to fighting climate change.

To all of those who sent letters, signed petitions, wrote letters to editors, campaigned on the high street and contacted your assembly members - we couldn't have done it with out you. Thank you for supporting the Scarweather Sands wind farm.