August 30, 2013
Ireland

Fleming calls for €1m levy on turbines

Leinster Express | 30 August 2013 | www.leinsterexpress.ie

Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming wants the council to impose a €1million levy on wind turbines which generate more than 2.5 megawatts of energy.

Deputy Fleming said while some people may feel this is an exceptionally high figure but it should be considered in the context of the scale of the actual development.

“The maximum of such levies would be substantially less than 9% of the overall cost of the project. In view of the scale of these projects a contribution of this order is reasonable.”

“Greenwire’s proposal means that the actual investment for each of the wind turbines together with associated infrastructure will be almost €11 million each. The development levies should reflect this,” he said.

Other changes the Fianne Fail TD would like to see include: no levies for broadband facilities, the abolishment of water and waste-water levies and levies on private childcare facilities.

The Swan TD said the proposed 33% reduction for IDA and Enterprise Ireland supported developments was welcome, but said it should also include developments by local people and businesses.

“It would be very wrong for the local businesses, which are the backbone of the economy to be excluded from this while special provision is made for the IDA etc. whose track record is dismal in County Laois. There must be a level playing field for local businesses,” he said.

Deputy Fleming said the reduction for retail cores should also be extended to Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Rathdowney, Durrow and Stradbally.

He said levies for water and waster water should also be abolished as Irish Water will be charging for this on a commercial basis.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/30/fleming-calls-for-e1m-levy-on-turbines/