Wind Power News: Ireland
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Coillte refused permission for Carlow wind turbines
An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission to Coillte for the construction of a seven turbine 583 ft high wind farm for an upland site in Co Carlow. The appeals board ruling upholds a decision by Carlow County Council to refuse planning permission for the 38.5MW wind farm in March 2021 after receiving over 280 third party submissions. Coillte lodged a first party appeal against the refusal and the Irish Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (IHPA), Martina Kinsella, Patrick McLean, . . . Complete story »
Government to seek advice on wind farm noise levels
What is or is not acceptable noise from wind farms is to be the subject of a €100,000 review by the Department of the Environment. A tender has been put out for a consultant to provide advice on what is an acceptable noise level from wind farms. The contract is for technical acoustic input into a “review and redraft” of the noise elements of existing wind energy development guidelines (WEDGs). The Government has been working since 2013 to issue revised . . . Complete story »
Nolan says sacrificing communities to meet Government’s wind turbine ambitions will not be tolerated
Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has said that she is deeply concerned at reports that the Cabinet is preparing to sign off on a review of regulations that would make it easier for inshore wind turbines to be constructed in and around rural communities in order to meet wind energy targets contained within the Government’s climate action plan. Deputy Nolan has been working with local communities in Offaly, including groups opposed to the development of the Leamonaghan Wind . . . Complete story »
‘Nobody is listening to the people who are living with wind turbines’
Onshore wind solutions are a lazy way out for the Government to reach energy targets, a Kerry councillor has insisted and he warned Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan, that he facing a “hell of a backlash” over plans to relax the planning around wind turbines. Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae said that Government continue to have no understanding on the impact some of the wind energy applications are having on communities nor do they care. Currently a major review of the rules governing . . . Complete story »
Planning failure at Derrybrien wind farm reaches total cost to State of €6.2 million
The state must pay the European Union another €1.245 million over a failure to comply with environmental rules at the Derrybrien wind farm in Co Galway. The amount comes on top of an initial lump sum of €5 million that was paid in January 2020. The Derrybrien wind farm, which ceased operations last year, was originally constructed two decades ago. A landslide during construction in 2003 brought to the site to attention and the Court of Justice ruled in 2008 . . . Complete story »
Group sounds warning on impact of proposed Clare windfarm
The proposed development of a new wind farm near Bridgetown will result in an average of one truck passing the village every 90 seconds during an eight-hour day, a local lobby group has claimed. RWE Renewables Ireland has submitted a planning application to construct eight wind turbines with a blade tip height range from 169 metres to 176 metres, a hub height range from 102 to 110 metres and a rotor diameter of 138 meters, the length of a GAA . . . Complete story »
Community set to resist planned wind farm in Kilkenny
Locals opposed to a planned wind farm just a few kilometres outside of Kilkenny City are continuing their campaign to stop the development by EDF Renewables Ireland, which is wholly owned by the French energy giant, EDF Group. The community was out in force last Thursday evening at a public meeting, organised by the Save Our Hills group, at Johnswell Hall. Local auctioneer, Michael Boyd, who lives just under one kilometre from a proposed wind turbine, told the meeting that . . . Complete story »
Fears of wind farm ‘rift’ in Kilkenny
Two community meetings will take place in Kilkenny within the next seven days to discuss the potential impact of up to 10 planned wind turbines only kilometres northeast of Kilkenny City. EDF Renewables Ireland are spearheading the wind farm development in the Freneystown-Castlewarren area and are hoping to submit a planning application later this year. Locals opposed to the wind farm have been actively mobilising in recent years under the banner of the ‘Save Our Hills’ group. Save Our Hills . . . Complete story »
Wind farm for North Cork refused planning
A six-turbine windfarm for north Cork has been refused planning permission by Cork County Council. Annagh Wind Farm Limited lodged plans with the Council on December 2, 2021, for planning permission to construct six wind turbines with a blade tip height of 175m at locations in Annagh North, Coolcaum, Fiddane, Cooliney, Rathnacally, Farranshonikeen, Ardnageehy and Clashganniv, County Cork. The turbines would have had a rotor diameter of 150m and a hub height of 100m. Planning was requested for a 10-year . . . Complete story »
Energy firm to fight notice over disputed wind turbine on site of Neolithic burial site at Knock Iveagh
A long-running dispute over the erection of a wind turbine at a historic site in Co Down has taken a new twist. The turbine was erected on the top of Knock Iveagh near Rathfriland in 2017. Heritage campaigners were furious planning permission had been granted for the turbine on a 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial site which was also used for the coronation of early medieval kings. It has now emerged the company which owns the turbine, Ayr Power Ltd, has been . . . Complete story »
