Manx turbines under consideration

An onshore wind farm could generate 12 per cent of the Isle of Man's electricity by 2015. The news comes as Environment Minister John Shimmin seeks Tynwald approval for a policy of a renewable energy target of 15 per cent electricity generated from renewable sources by 2015.

It is hoped that the project would reduce the Isle of Man's level of carbon emissions as well as make the Island less dependent on energy imports.

Mr Shimmin said: 'It is a highly significant and important as a motion. If supported, it would lead to the development of onshore wind turbines as a means of reaching the target by 2015."

It is expected that between five and eight turbines, depending on their size, would need to be built on a site yet to be decided.

Mr Shimmin said: "I hope that public opinion has moved in recent years to finding wind turbines more acceptable. We are aware there will always be some that find them aesthetically unacceptable. There is no remaining argument against wind turbines other than the aesthetic look of them. All those who used to object, such as the RSPB, are now in favour."

Last year, a report commissioned by the Manx government's Energy Policy Working Group said the Island was ideally suited to onshore wind farms as it has, on average, the highest wind speed throughout the year compared with the UK, Denmark and Germany.