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Not content with announcing its development permit for a 284 MW project off the Dutch coast last month (above), Ireland's Airtricity also says it is taking over development of the Butendiek site off the North Sea coast of Germany, where a 240-300 MW "people's project" is planned. Located 34 kilometres off the coast of Sylt, the site is slated for 80 turbines. Working together with the original Butendiek developers, Airtricity is set to take control of financing, construction and operation. With many shareholders living locally, the site was first developed as a community funded offshore project. The original Butendiek investors will hold an option to buy 50% of the wind farm once it is commissioned. The proposed partnership is still to be voted on by shareholders with a meeting scheduled early in the new year. If approved, Airtricity hopes to see the wind farm producing power by the end of 2009.