April 6, 2014
Ireland

Concern over privatisation of wind farms

Leitrim Observer | 06 April 2014 | www.leitrimobserver.ie

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Colreavy TD, has expressed concern over the sale of Irish wind farms to a multi-national company.

Speaking following the news that the wind farm portfolio owned by Bord Gáis Éireann is to be sold to Canadian based Brookfield Renewable Power, Deputy Colreavy said: “The sale of wind projects developed by Bord Gáis Éireann, which amounts to approximately 15% of the wind capacity from the island of Ireland, to a foreign multinational is a regressive step.”

The Sligo/North Leitrim TD said that Sinn Féin remains committed to renewable energy.

However he stated this push “must be led by semi-state companies such as the ESB and Bord na Mona.

“The privatisation agenda being pushed by this government has resulted in the loss of this wind portfolio, which is a strategic asset in the production of energy in Ireland.

“Sinn Féin recently introduced the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill in the Dáil. This bill imposes minimum setback distances for wind turbine developments, and also regulates the export of energy from renewable sources developed in Ireland,” he told the Leitrim Observer.

“The sale of this portfolio will not help Ireland’s energy security. A significant portion of Ireland’s wind energy capacity is now in private hands, and can be used as it sees fit by Brookfield Renewable Power,” he added.

“It is imperative that the Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, delivers an all-Ireland strategy on energy as soon as possible, and I would hope that further privatisation would not form part of that strategy,” the Sinn Féin Deputy concluded.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/06/concern-over-privatisation-of-wind-farms/