High turnout at Gaelectric public consultation on proposed Smulgedon wind farm

·        80 Local Residents Attend Second Gaelectric Wind Farm Exhibition

·        Positive Community Support for Renewable Energy Creation in the Area

17 April 2009 -- Gaelectric, the renewables and energy storage company, today announced that it was delighted with the turnout at its recent (14 April) community exhibition for the proposed wind farm at Smulgedon, Co. Derry.

Mike Denny, Operations Director with Gaelectric, discusses:

"The exhibition was a great success with over 80 local residents and politicians attending over a four and a half hour period. This is an excellent turnout for such an event, especially given the fact that this was our second local exhibition in recent months."

"Our results very much indicate that a great number of the local community is in favour of the wind farm. Such statistics mirror positive community opinions that were received during house to house neighbourhood surveys and the initial public exhibition held in Limavady in December."

"The event proved an invaluable opportunity to help clarify and alleviate a number of the concerns and queries that residents had. Many told us that they had heard recent debates in relation to the proposed wind farm and that they wanted to come to the event to find out more for themselves and form their own opinion."

"Representatives from the Roe Valley Anti-Wind Farm Group also attended to ask a number of questions in relation to the proposal and deliver a letter advising that the Group had decided to not attend the information event. We were obviously disappointed at their decision to do so as we firmly believe the event was an excellent opportunity to clarify many of their issues."

"We would however like to thank all those who came to the event - we very much appreciate everyone's time and feedback. Gaelectric is looking forward to a meeting with the Roe Valley Anti-Wind Farm Group and further consultation with the local community in the coming months."

ENDS//

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