Scottish government plans for an offshore wind farm between Portrush and Scotland could “impact tourism” here — particularly at the Giant’s Causeway and the “cherished views” of the surrounding area, an MP has said.
Gregory Campbell said that the North Coast is the “key jewel in Northern Ireland’s tourism crown” and the proposed wind farm could “severely affect the iconic views from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway, one of the most renowned natural landmarks in the world”.
The DUP East Londonderry MP was speaking during Energy Questions in the House of Commons.
He continued: “The Giant’s Causeway is a place of immense cultural, natural, and economic importance.
“As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds a special place in global heritage, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, all drawn by its unique geological formations and stunning vistas.
“The presence of industrial scale wind turbines on the horizon would irrevocably alter this cherished view, potentially deterring tourists and damaging Northern Ireland’s tourism sector,” he added.
“While I fully support the development of renewable energy and understand the importance of wind farms in addressing climate change, it is vital that such projects are carried out with respect for natural landscapes and heritage sites.
“I have urged the Government to speak with their Scottish counterparts and consider the potential implications for this development so that it does not threaten the visual and cultural integrity of the Giant’s Causeway.”
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The Scottish government has said that public consultations will take place prior to any decisions being made. A spokesperson said that “potential impacts on communities and nature are important considerations in the decision-making process for offshore wind planning and consenting”.
“All offshore wind projects are subject to robust consent processes that include public consultations, with further assessments and potential mitigations considered before decisions are made.”
Last month, Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, announced plans to attract £1.5bn of private investment into the country’s offshore wind industry. The announcement was part of the Scottish government’s 2024/25 Programme for Government, which outlines a coordinated approach to support net-zero goals.
Earlier this year, a company behind a £1 billion-plus offshore energy project proposed for the Irish Sea voiced frustration at the “slow progress” on getting the scheme moving.
North Channel Wind sought to install up to 30 wind turbines 15 miles off the east Antrim coast, which would ultimately generate enough electricity to power 500,000 homes over the next decade and potentially create hundreds of jobs.
But despite the company having already invested £20million and having embarked on an extensive stakeholder engagement process with the fishing industry, coastal communities, environmental groups and other relevant bodies, it believes there has been “a lack of urgency” in progressing the scheme, first mooted in 2021.