October 17, 2006
Ireland
Ireland
Some 55 metal wind turbines visible from the local coastline could be in place by 2008 if Oriel Windfarm’s proposal to develop an energy generating facility get the go-ahead.
The turbines will be visible from 45 separate locations along the coastline.
The tubular wind turbines will be 86m, made of steel and generally painted light grey. Their finish is matt, to reduce reflected light, and the developers claim they “˜they will only appear as small pins on a corner of the horizon on a clear day’.
The environmental impact of the e55 million project on towns as far west as Ardee will also be studied over the coming months.
Those who believe windfarms are noisy are wrong say its developers Oriel Windfarm.
“˜It is possible to stand underneath a turbine and hold a conversation without having to raise your voice. As wind speed rises, the noise of the wind masks the noise made by wind turbines. The evolution of wind farm technology over the past decade has rendered mechanical noise from turbines almost undetectable with the main sound being the aerodynamic swoosh of the blades passing the tower. There are strict guidelines on wind turbines and noise emissions to ensure the protection of residential amenity.’
The licence area for the windfarm is located north east of Clogherhead and 20 kms north east of Drogheda.
The wind farm will be developed in five phases of 11 turbines each.
Oriel’s plans for the offshore wind farm are still at the developmental stage. The company has a specialist team researching all aspects of the project with the objective of applying for permission to build the off shore wind farm in 2007.
These studies include an environmental impact assessment, soil and terrain sampling, service and support requirements, and connection to the electricity grids in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
When the 55 turbines are completed the wind farm will be capable of supplying power to up to 200,000 homes.
By Christine Doherty
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/17/2008-date-for-coastal-wind-farm/