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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Protection of rare bird of prey may stop Donegal wind farm
A conservation group concerned about the protection of a rare bird of prey could halt plans for a multi-million-euro wind farm development in Meenbog, Co Donegal. The Irish Raptor Study Group, a voluntary organisation committed to the monitoring for conservation purposes of birds of prey, particularly the Hen Harrier and Buzzard throughout Ireland, has been granted leave to legally challenge An Bord Pleanála’s approval of the development. Mr Justice David Barniville said in the High Court yesterday he would consider . . . Complete story »
Group granted leave to legally challenge approval of Donegal wind farm
The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted leave to legally challenge An Bord Pleanála’s approval of a large wind farm at Meenbog in Donegal. Mr Justice David Barniville said in the High Court Wednesday that on October 25 he would consider setting a date for a judicial review and directed that all parties have relevant documentation lodged in court by October 19, The Irish Times reported. Barrister David Browne, who appeared with Fred Logue of FP Logue Solicitors for . . . Complete story »
82 objections lodged against plans for new wind turbines on outskirts of Derry
An application for two new wind turbines on the outskirts of Derry has been refused over concerns that the local area is shouldering the ‘bulk’ of responsibility in terms of renewable energy. The application was for the construction of two turbines at the existing Monnaboy Wind farm, which currently contains four wind turbines after planning permission was granted on October 4, 2012. The location of Monnaboy Wind Farm is on land located east of 62 Monnaboy Road in Greysteel and . . . Complete story »
Proposed Cork wind farm to ‘muddy’ water supply
A proposed wind farm development will have “catastrophic” consequences for a Co Cork town’s public water supply, according to a health and safety expert. Tom Morley, a retired mechanical engineer and a member of the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (Nebosh), made the observation at a public meeting in Youghal, hosted by Blackwater Valley Wind Aware. The group opposes plans by German energy company Innogy, through its subsidiary Innogy Renewables Ireland Ltd and in partnership with Dublin-based . . . Complete story »
Donegal councillor filmed in RTÉ sting was ‘negligent’
A councillor who was secretly filmed asking to be paid through a business partner for promised work on behalf of wind farm investors “blurred the lines” between his public duties and his role as a businessman, his barrister has said. The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) is investigating whether John O’Donnell, an Independent councillor with Donegal County Council since 2014, breached the code that governs local authority members. The investigation is being conducted on foot of interviews carried out . . . Complete story »
Drehid locals declare war on Kildare turbine plans
“Maybe I should call you all troops or soldiers as this is a war, as you know,” said Seamus Langan, Chairperson of Drehid Against Wind Turbines as he addressed last Wednesday’s (September 5) meeting at the Castle Inn in Carbury. “Element Power are going to be defeated, they can’t win over our clubs and they can’t win over us”. He was referring to the company’s plans to build a wind farm in the locality. This was the third meeting held . . . Complete story »
Anger at traffic plan for wind-farm
The developers of a €180m windfarm project on the Kerry/Cork border are to meet with Kerry and Cork County Councils this week to come up with a traffic-management plan to allow the delivery of concrete to the windfarm. This follows a public meeting last week in the Top of Coom, which was attended by some 60 local residents. They are angry at the plan as it will lead to a massive increase of heavy goods vehicles on the scenic route . . . Complete story »
Endangered Hen Harrier on Donegal wind farm site should have been verified
The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted permission to bring judicial review proceedings challenging a decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a 19-turbine wind farm located at Meenbog in South Eastern Donegal. The proposed development site is located in an area which is specially designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as regionally important for the protection of Hen Harrier, they say. The Hen Harrier is Ireland’s rarest declining resident breeding bird species and . . . Complete story »
Legal challenge to Donegal wind farm
The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted permission to bring judicial review proceedings challenging a decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a 19-turbine wind farm at Meenbog close to the Barnesmore Gap. An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission in June to applicant Planree for the development of 19 156.5 metre tip height wind turbines in the townlands of Meenbog, Croaghonagh, and Cashelnavean. The wind farm application was made following the refusal of an application for . . . Complete story »
Hen Harrier hitch for massive Donegal wind farm
The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted permission to bring judicial review proceedings challenging a decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a 19-turbine wind farm located at Meenbog near Barnesmore Gap. The proposed development site is located in an area which is specially designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as regionally important for the protection of Hen Harrier. While the developer in its application did not identify the presence of breeding Hen Harrier . . . Complete story »
