There are more more potential problems for the proposed Sikka l-Bajda wind farm with publication of EU guidelines.

These ‘recently issued guidelines’ have been around for some time. Birdlife has considerable grounds for concern with the wind farm on Sikka l-Bajda (SB).There is, to my mind at least, a severe problem as to how these concerns can be properly addressed.

The bird mortality from the 80m measuring mast is reported — not directly by BLM — to be tiny. But can the other impacts be assessed without any turbine being put in place on Sikka l-Bajda? I would be interested in hearing how. 

On the question of possible alternatives to Sikka l-Bajda being explored, as far as I can see government seems to be bent on suicide. At this stage, the only exploration that need be undertaken would be the setting-up of a wind speed measuring mast.  

In one promising offshore site on the North Gozo coast, government has stubbornly refused to consider such a device. No reasoned case for not doing so has been forthcoming.

Rumours abound: territorial disputes, visual impact, too much turbulence in the area, ruination of the view of Mount Etna from trieq il-mungbell in Marsalforn, refusal by Gozo to provide electricity for Malta, etc. 

It is a clear case of fiddling while Rome burns, mercifully though, this issue is of a smaller magnitude than that of ground water extraction.

Edward Mallia

Attard