Isle of Man minister backs wind farm energy

Plan for wind farms in the west of the island faced stiff opposition from local residents

The infrastructure minister has said wind farms are the "only proven technology" to help the Isle of Man meet renewable energy targets.

Phil Gawne said a committee was looking into the economics of improving the island's wind farm technology.

Tynwald has committed to having 15% of the island's electricity generated from renewable sources by 2015.

Mr Gawne added: "There has never been a better time to capitalise on new technologies to make energy."

The Isle of Man government is currently extending the use of biomass energy created from wood chips collected in the Isle of Man.

The generator at the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture headquarters in St Johns is run on wood chips and there are now plans to extend this principal to other government buildings and schools.

"There are many forms of renewable energy production such as tidal, wave, anaerobic digestion, heat pumps and solar, the only technology proven method that will allow us to achieve our ambitious targets are wind farms," Mr Gawne said.

The department of infrastructure in association with the Manx Electricity authority has also created four vehicle charging points around the Isle of Man where electric car owners can recharge without cost.