Anti-wind turbine protest criticised

Green groups have criticised the thousands of marchers who protested this weekend in Paris against the government’s energy policies.

While one of the organisers Jean-Louis Butré attacked what he called the ‘insane programme’ for installing wind farms across the country.

Following the Grenelle de l’environnement France has committed itself to generating 10% of its electricity through wind power by 2020; necessitating the building of between 8,000-10,000 turbines.

The protestors, calling themselves the Fédération environnement durable said the policies are the result of an eco-lobby and added that the efficiency and cost of wind power had been misjudged.

The group believes 15,000 turbines will be needed to meet government targets.

Green party Les Verts said the group, who include former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, represented an eco-vision stuck in the 1970s.
In a statement Les Verts said the protesters were “a movement largely composed of EDF pensioners”.
The group Sortir du nucléaire claimed the protest was effectively a pro-nuclear demonstration.