Almost 200 people crammed into Ballaugh parish hall last night (Tuesday) to hear about proposals for an onshore windfarm in the area.

United Kingdom-based Ocean Electric Power outlined a scheme which would see up to ten, 130-metre high wind turbines erected along the coastline, from Jurby towards Kirk Michael.

The firm says its proposal would help the Manx government produce 15 per cent of the Island's energy from renewable sources, which is its target by 2015.

Concerns over noise, vibration, and possible negative effects on house prices and health from windfarms, were raised, and a near-unanimous vote by the audience called for alternative wave and tidal projects to be considered.

Chief executive of Ocean Electric Power Chris Bale says he is all in favour of such technologies, but insists they aren't commercially viable yet (first part of attached audio file):

After the meeting these people, mostly local, seemed convinced the Island should look to the seas for renewable sources of energy (second part of audio file):

Michael MHK David Cannan, who called the meeting, will table a motion in Tynwald next month, calling on the Manx government to seek expressions of interest in wave and tidal power, as well as onshore wind farms (third part of audio file):