The Spanish government has given the go-ahead for marine wind farms in Spain. The first generators are to come into operation by 2012, with 273 planned for the Straits, giving the same amount of energy as a nuclear power station, and enough for 700,00o homes. Although Spain has 4,872km of coastline and more regular winds than inland, much of the coast is not suitable for marine windfarms as the continental shelf drops away quickly, making it too expensive to site generators (El Pais). We shall have to see the impact studies to see their effect on birds, particularly in the planned farm between Conil and Barbate in the Straits of Gibraltar. Other possible sites include Vinaroz (Castellón), Delta del Ebro and the Golfo de Cadíz.