Environmental issues are important and obvious on a small self contained island, however the Council approach is piecemeal without a coherent policy or strategy.
One key area is energy supplies and management. For the island we need to balance saving energy eg through insulation, efficient lighting and appliances and improved transport. With sources of energy in biomass, fossil fuels, electricity supplies from the mainland, solar panels and wind power. I'm aware directly of the engineering challenges that have prevented the production of robust wave and tidal flow power and there is little to show those being close to market.
We all know that the island is not in favour of onshore turbines. So its doubly unfortunately the Conservative Government killed the the large wind turbine array off the UK South Coast by stopping the Green Bank funding. A Bank created by the Lib Dems while junior partner in the coalition. Funding that would have provided jobs and key opportunities for Island people and ports.
It would also have assisted Vestas a major supplier of turbine blades and a significant provider of Island jobs.
In a connected blog I've discussed the issues with the Regeneration Strategy. The failed investment where the Council funded a Ventnor hub for offshore energy is a prime example of insufficient due diligence of both the company, the industry and the technology.
Perhaps the island should look to universities and related bodies, and companies to offer island as a market test bed for energy saving and energy management technologies. However that would require coordination and long term planning which we have yet to see.
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