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.
Special report: Winds of change (Part 1)
Plans for large-scale offshore windfarms are sending shivers up the spines of some fisheries bodies, ecologists, and community groups. While many business elements and environmentalists have welcomed the chance to harness the strong Atlantic winds, there are others who fear the seascape around our coasts could will be littered with massive turbines, resulting in damage to tourism, aquaculture and biodiversity, as Siobhán Cronin reports. Rural onshore windfarms have long been a subject of much debate, ever since the first project . . . Complete story »
Special report: Winds of change (Part 2)
‘Windfalls’ for Cork communities as developers dish out over €400k Energy efficiency projects and third level scholarships, sports clubs, active retired groups and local festivals were just some of those to benefit from almost €3.5m dished out by the developers of Irish windfarms in 2019. The figures were released at the end of last year by the Irish Wind Energy Association. Explaining the cash windfall for the local groups, Dr David Connolly, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association, . . . Complete story »
Special report: Winds of change (Part 3)
The size, scale and proximity of planned windfarms concerns some communities ‘Our biggest surprise was the fact that nobody seemed to realise what was happening,’ said Niall Ó Faoláin of the Co Waterford-based Blue Horizon, a group of locals campaigning against the proximity of offshore windfarms to the mainland. The group, based in the Helvick area south of Dungarvan, was shocked to find a fixed platform offshore windfarm was being planned by energy firm Energia, just 5km from the shore. . . . Complete story »
Parteen turbine in situ despite order
Frustration is growing among Parteen residents over the failure to remove a controversial wind turbine located near a local factory, reports Dan Danaher. A few weeks ago, Clare County Council requested a local developer to decommission and remove a controversial wind turbine erected near a Parteen factory on or before Thursday, April 8 following an alleged breach of a planning permission condition. According to a Council enforcement notice, the turbine and base structure as constructed is allegedly not sited at . . . Complete story »
People Over Wind oppose Portlaoise Low Carbon Plan
An anti–wind turbine group with active Laois members has responded to Portlaoise town’s new Carbon Footprint Study because of an emphasis of the proposals on windpower and the commissioning of a company that produce wind turbines to complete the report. The report, which was published this month by Laois County Council, identifies the need to cut Portlaoise’s annual greenhouse gas footprint of nearly 100,000 tonnes a year. The study sets out different options on how this can be achieved by . . . Complete story »
Plans for wind farm off Bray Head coast
The company Ocean Winds has started the process to apply for a wind farm 13km from shore at Bray Head. The company enters the Irish offshore wind market with proposals for Cailleach Offshore Windfarm on a 317km squared site. In a statement, Ocean Winds said that the wind farm would deliver up to 1,600MW of energy by 2030. They have submitted a foreshore licence application to carry out initial site investigations. These investigations will also be used to inform the . . . Complete story »
Impact of wind farms on birds not adequately assessed – Birdwatch
The impact of wind turbines on bird populations needs much greater examination, Birdwatch Ireland has told wind energy companies. Oonagh Duggan, the group’s head of advocacy, said there was a danger that if there was conflict between wind energy and wildlife, then the benefits of renewable energy would be undermined. “We’re very serious about climate change but we have to remember, we’re not just in a climate crisis, we’re in a biodiversity crisis,” she said. Ms Duggan was addressing the . . . Complete story »
Coillte appealing against decision by Carlow County Council to refuse planning permission for wind farm on Mount Leinster
Coillte are appealing against the decision to refuse planning permission for a wind farm on Mount Leinster. Carlow County Council last month decided against allowing the proposed Croaghaun development go ahead. The local authority claimed the plans would have an adverse visual impact on the scenic area and would interfere with the character of the landscape. They also raised concerns over the effect on the nearby conservation area and the local road network and decided it was contrary to the . . . Complete story »
Wind energy concerns will be taken on board promises Minister
Construction on the first offshore windfarms is likely to begin by 2025, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has told The Southern Star. And Minister Ryan added that a comprehensive consultation process in advance of that will take into account concerns which have been voiced by the fishing industry, environmentalists and tourism-related firms. In a special report in this week’s Southern Star, a number of organisations and observers have voiced their fears over the extensive scale and size of the many projects . . . Complete story »
Wind farm planned for Cork Gaeltacht to have more turbines added
A wind farm planned close to a Cork community already “surrounded” by turbines “in a 360-degree radius” is to see its number of turbines increased. Twelve turbines were originally proposed for Gortyrahilly Wind Farm, a joint development by Coillte Renewable Energy and SSE Renewables between the villages of Béal Átha ’n Ghaorthaidh and Baile Mhúirne in the Múscraí Gaeltacht. However, an information leaflet circulated to homes within 2km of the proposed development confirms that 15 turbines are now being considered. . . . Complete story »
