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.
Locals facing second round of wind fight
Campaigners against the encroachment of wind turbines around the village of Ballylongford are poised to fight what is effectively the same wind farm plan for a second time. NMWT@Ballylongford group is now calling a public meeting in the parish hall for 11am on Sunday next to galvanise support ahead of a second campaign against efforts by firm Ballylongford Windfarm Group to erect 126.5m-high turbines outside the village. The firm’s plans for eight turbines were refused by the Council last year . . . Complete story »
IWEA: ‘How we’ve engaged with communities in the past is not the way’
The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has apologised to communities across Ireland who have been negatively impacted by the development of wind farms – via its members – in their localities. The association’s head of communications and public affairs Justin Moran also confirmed that a new focus on community and public engagement would ensure that relations between residents and developers will improve “going forward” as wind energy gets set to step up a gear in this country. Moran’s comments come . . . Complete story »
Government incompetence over wind turbine development insists Laois TD
A Laois TD has hammered the Government’s approach to regulating the building of wind turbines. Fianna Fáil TD for Laois and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Seán Fleming, has said that the Government’s approach to the review of the National Wind Energy Guidelines proves the point that when it comes to tackling climate change, like everything else, Fine Gael is interested only in spin and PR. “The Government may talk about climate change and the need for sustainable renewable . . . Complete story »
Kerry wind farm expansion generates opposition
Two years ago, former president Mary Robinson narrated a video to mark the 25th anniversary of the Irish Wind Energy Association, pointing out that Ireland’s first wind farm was built in Bellacorick, Co Mayo in 1992. Proudly noting her home county’s involvement, Robinson backed the contribution that wind energy could make in the battle against climate change, saying that climate justice demanded “complete human solidarity”. In one clip, one of the contributors to the video asked: “What’s not to like . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine build to go ahead despite opposition
Planning permission has been granted for a cluster of giant wind turbines around 9km outside Macroom, despite strong opposition from the local community. An Bord Pleanála has upheld the decision of Cork Co Council to approve the development of six wind turbines up to 131m in height at Barnadivane, Terelton for a 25-year period. The board rejected an appeal by the Barna Wind Action Group and some local residents which have campaigned against the wind farm in a long-running planning . . . Complete story »
Donegal group ‘baffled’ by Amazon deal to wind farm awaiting planning permission
Members of the Finn Valley Wind Action Group say they have been left baffled after Amazon announced it was set to purchase energy from a wind farm in their area that hasn’t even been granted planning permission yet. The group says the wind farm in question – Meenbog Wind Farm – has been earmarked for development in an environmentally sensitive area designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Members say the designation has occurred because the area is . . . Complete story »
Council ‘100 per cent’ against Derryadd windfarm
An Bord Pleanala bosses are to receive a “100 per cent” unanimous objection from Longford County Council over the coming days concerning Bord na Mona’s contentious Derryadd windfarm plans. Local politicians wholeheartedly agreed to table its submission to the state planning appeals body at a special meeting on Monday as the ongoing row over its proposed development cranked up a notch. Independent Cllr Mark Casey led those calls, describing the plans as being akin to “environmental genocide”. He said: “The . . . Complete story »
Wind farms: ‘Local authority did not address the issues involved’
Hundreds of south Wicklow residents who will be impacted by the outcome of an appeal with An Bord Pleanála – in respect of a wind farm development – remain in a state of “anxious expectation” this week, a local opponent to the development has said. Richard More-O’Ferrall – secretary of the South Wicklow Wind Action Group (SWWAG) – said residents in the area of the Ballymanus project – ABO Wind and Coillte – objected to the grounds on which planning . . . Complete story »
An Bord Pleanála grant permission for Ballymanus Windfarm
Cllr. Pat Kennedy has expressed his shock and outrage at the news that An Bord Pleanála have granted permission to ABO Wind Ireland Ltd for a wind farm in South Wicklow. “The people of rural south Wicklow and particularly those families in the communities of Aughrim, Rednagh, Killaduff, Ballymanus, Preban, Ballinglen, and Askakeagh rejected the proposal by ABO Wind Ireland Ltd to build a large-scale windfarm in their area and I am appalled at the fact that An Bord Pleanála . . . Complete story »
Wind farm access dispute settled but another to come, High Court hears
A dispute between a wind farm company and a farmer over an agreement about access to his land for cabling has been struck out at the Commercial Court following mediation talks. However, a second wind farm operator which says it also has a similar access agreement with the farmer is now set to bring proceedings after it expressed disappointment that a deal had been done. The case concerns access to 0.3 hectares at Bonniconlon, Co Mayo, owned by farmer John . . . Complete story »
