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.
Windfarm campaigners claim pipeline victory
The landowners who have been camping on the roadside to halt a power pipeline which they claimed had been laid on their land were celebrating with supporters after contractors moved their installation last week. Joe Franz and Diana Kuehnal of Carrigdangan, Kilmichael, Macroom spent over six weeks camping next to a cable laying joint bay – which they say should never have been dug on their side of the road – to prevent cables from being connected for a wind . . . Complete story »
Windfarm plan opposition grows
Revised plans for the controversial windfarm in Ballyhorgan, Finuge, are expected to draw even greater opposition than six years ago when the initial application attracted the largest amount of objections ever received by Kerry County Council on a single file. 269 separate submissions were lodged on the file in 2014 as the majority of the locality of the low-lying community set out a broad range of concerns over everything from the visual impact of the massive turbines – at 156m . . . Complete story »
Push to have Westmeath loosen wind energy rules
A push has come from a number of quarters to have Westmeath County Council broaden its policy on wind energy in the new County Development plan. A number of submissions made during the public consultation on the plan are critical of the Westmeath policy objective, CPO 10.132, which requires that there be minimum setback of 500 metres to 2000 metres – depending on turbine height – between turbines and homes. The council is also being asked to explain why out . . . Complete story »
Granard residents concerned by size of proposed turbine
A proposal to erect an industrial turbine, potentially taller than the Spire in Dublin, close to the town of Granard, Co Longford, is “causing concern” for local residents. The proposed wind turbine at Kiernan Milling (for a maximum height of 169m) is designed to supply power for the existing milling business. Granardkille Local Residents Group, who have formally objected to the plans, say there was no public consultation with local house owners prior to lodging the planning application with Longford . . . Complete story »
Cathaoirleach vows to stand by the Derryadd community in wind farm appeal
Cathaoirleach of Ballymahon Municipal District Cllr Gerard Farrell has expressed his solidarity with the No to Derryadd Wind Farm group, following An Bord Pleanála’s decision to approve a 24 wind turbine development in Derryadd. “I want to express my sympathy and sadness for the group who have put an awful lot of work into this,” said Cllr Farrell (pictured) at a meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District last week. “A previous inspector refused it but it was overruled. It’ll go to . . . Complete story »
Derryadd Windfarm project was initially rejected
An Bord Pleanala’s decision to grant approval for a €100m wind farm in south Longford has been called into question after it emerged a senior official had initially called for its rejection before it was given the green light. In a near 200 page report (dated September 6, 2019) compiled for the State planning body’s consideration, inspector John Desmond recommended Bord na Mona’s proposed 24 turbine wind farm at Derryadd be turned down. Mr Desmond carried out three visits to . . . Complete story »
Granard group opposed to ‘inhumane’ wind turbine development
One of north Longford’s largest employers and a local community group are on collision course over the proposed erection of an “inhumane” 169 metre high wind turbine. Granard based firm Kiernan Milling want to construct the turbine as part of an ongoing and large scale expansion of its premises on the outskirts of the town. In a planning file lodged with Longford County Council last month, it outlined its intentions to seek a ten year planning approval for the structure . . . Complete story »
Council voices concerns over aspects of proposed Derrinlough windfarm
A number of concerns over the proposed Derrinlough windfarm outlined by Offaly County Council this week will form part of its submission to An Bord Pleanala on the project. In late February, Bord na Móna Powergen submitted a formal planning application for a 21-turbine windfarm between Cloghan, Fivealley, Kilcormac and Banagher, directly to An Bord Pleanala under legislation governing Strategic Infrastructure Developments (SID), the fast track planning process for large scale development which essentially bypasses the local authority planning process. . . . Complete story »
Concern over visual impact of offshore windfarm
A Greystones councillor has raised concerns about the visual impact of proposals to locate offshore windfarms off the coast of the county. Seven offshore windfarm projects were selected by the Government to be fast-tracked to the next stage of the process under new marine planning rules. These included an offshore wind farm proposed at the Bray and Kish banks and the two phases of the Codling wind farm off the coast between Greystones and Wicklow town. Councillor Derek Mitchell said . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project proposed for Laois/Carlow border
Plans for significant infrastructure related to a wind farm on the Laois Carlow border have been submitted to local planners. Boolyvannanan Renewable Energy Ltd has applied for six kilometres of underground cable to connect Bilboa Wind Farm to the national electricity grid. 4.6km of the cable would be located in the boundary of Carlow County Council while 2km lies in the Laois County Council boundary. The cable would be laid in the townslands of Boolyvannanan, Coolnakisha, Boolyrathornan, Ballinabranagh, Tomard Upper, . . . Complete story »
