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.
Wind farms must provide more environmental information to public
A significant High Court ruling means wind farms have greater transparency obligations to the public concerning the provision of environmental information, including about wind turbine noise. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled Raheenlagh Power DAC (RP), which jointly controls a wind farm in the Wicklow mountains with an ESB subsidiary, is a “public authority” under 2007 regulations transposing into Irish law a 2003 European directive on access to environmental information. He overturned a decision by the Commissioner for Environmental Information that . . . Complete story »
Criminal investigation launched into north-west landslide
A criminal investigation has been launched into a devastating landslide which transformed a natural beauty spot in the north-west into a murky “black porridge”. Shocking footage of the incident in Mid-November was viewed by thousands online as it showed thousands of tonnes of peat slipping downstream from the top end of the Mourne Beg River in Donegal. John McCartney, director of conservation and protection at the Loughs Agency, told the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on Thursday (January . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine plans fanning local residents’ fury
2021 is worrying enough for people thanks to Covid-19 but families in East Cork and West Waterford say they are also now under threat from another source that could have a major impact on their lives. Locals described a planning application made by RWE (formerly Innogy) – under the name Curns Energy Ltd for 17 x 150m high industrial wind turbines at two separate locations as ‘devastating’. Within this well-populated area, there are also plans for a large substation and . . . Complete story »
Court ruling means wind farms must provide more information on noise
A significant High Court ruling means wind farms have greater transparency obligations to the public concerning the provision of environmental information, including in relation to wind turbine noise. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled Raheenlagh Power DAC (RP), which jointly controls a wind farm in the Wicklow mountains with an ESB subsidiary, is a “public authority” under 2007 regulations transposing into Irish law a 2003 European directive on access to environmental information. He overturned a decision by the Commissioner for Environmental . . . Complete story »
First wind farm application for Mt Leinster falls at the first hurdle
Opponents of a wind turbine development in the Mount Leinster area say serious questions have been raised after the planning application fell at the first hurdle. Coillte’s proposal for seven 178-metre wind turbines on the slopes of Mount Leinster was formally submitted to Carlow County Council on 15 January but was deemed invalid within a day due to the omission of technical information in layouts and maps. Cornelia McCarthy, who lives in Kilbranish, about six kilometres from the proposed site, . . . Complete story »
Mega turbines in the pipeline warns TD for Laois and Kildare who learns new windfarm rules are stuck in review
A TD who represents voters in Laois Offaly Kildare has demanded the publishing of new windfarm guidelines in the wake of continued lack of timeframe for updated rules which will not apply to ‘mega turbines’ coming down the track. Patricia Ryan is Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, which takes in Portarlington and hinterland. She issued a statement calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish revised wind energy development guidelines as soon as possible. Dep . . . Complete story »
Wind farm owners take legal action against EU Commission
Independent wind farm owners in Ireland are taking a legal challenge against the European Commission over its refusal to conduct a formal investigation into claims that fossil fuel electricity producers in Ireland are being granted illegal State aid in the form of reduced commercial rates. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will begin a hearing tomorrow in a case taken by the Irish Wind Farmers’ Association (IWFA) and three of its members against the summary dismissal in . . . Complete story »
Developer to go ahead with wind farm plans
The developer of a proposed wind farm near Baltinglass has confirmed its plans to press ahead with the project. ABO Wind Ireland Ltd said this week it is set to lodge an application with Wicklow County Council for permission to construct five 165m wind turbines at Kilranelagh Hill. The plan has already been the focus of sustained local opposition due to the archaeological features on the site, which is part of the Baltinglass Hillfort Complex. The Save Wicklow’s Ancient East . . . Complete story »
Stormont committee told river peat slide was ‘catastrophic’
A huge landslide into rivers in Donegal and Tyrone which started on the site of a new windfarm has been described as “catastrophic” by the Loughs’ Agency. Thousands of tonnes of peat bog, trees and vegetation were swept into the Mourne Beg and Derg Rivers during the peat slide on November 13 last year. Damage was also caused to the Corgary trout farm. It subsequently emerged that the peat slide originated on land which is being developed as a wind . . . Complete story »
Opposition grows against wind turbines near Mt Leinster
There is increasing concern in the Bunclody area over plans by Coillte to construct a major windfarm development near Mount Leinster. Such is the level of concern about the project, that over 2.500 people have already signed a petition against the plan. The proposal makes provision for the development, on the Carlow side of the border, of seven turbines with proposed heights of 178m which would be significantly higher than any of the other turbines in the region. If given . . . Complete story »
