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.
2,500 objections lodged against proposed Offaly windfarm
Approximately 2,500 objections have been lodged against a proposed Bord na Móna windfarm on Leamonaghan Bog, in Co. Offaly, according to TD, Carol Nolan. The independent TD said she welcomed the objections, received by Offaly County Council, to the construction of this “major windfarm”, which, she said, would be “tantamount to cultural and historical vandalism“. It is believed that the windfarm would be developed on about 1,200ha between Ballycumber and Ferbane. Deputy Nolan said she has visited the site on . . . Complete story »
Plans for Cahermurphy windfarm rejected
Planning permission for a controversial wind farm in Cahermurphy has been rejected by Clare County Council. Mid Clare Renewable Energy (MCRE) Windfarm Ltd lodged the plans in September for the ten wind turbines with Clare County Council on Friday opting against giving the development the green light. Over 100 submissions were received by the local authority from the public, community groups and elected representatives. Among them were Violet Anne Wynne TD (SF), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Senator Roisin Garvey (GP), . . . Complete story »
Legal challenge threatens viability of Waterford wind farm, court told
A challenge to planning permission for an underground connector to an eight-turbine wind farm in Co Waterford could threaten its viability, the Commercial Court has been told. Knocknamona Windfarm Ltd got planning permission in 2016 for the turbines, with an overall height of 126.6m, at Tinakilly/Monageela/Kilatoor in Dungarvan. That permission was challenged and ultimately dismissed by the Commercial Court in 2017. In 2021 the company got another permission for 1,940m of underground medium-voltage cabling, and ancillary works, linking the Knocknamona . . . Complete story »
Council rejects planning permission application for Cahermurphy wind farm
Plans for a controversial wind farm in West Clare have been rejected by Clare County Council. The proposal for the project near Kilmihil had received significant opposition from a number of local residents. Plans for the 10-turbine wind farm were lodged by Mid Clare Renewable Energy Windfarm Ltd in September 2020. They have now been rejected by the local authority. An environmental impact statement lodged with the application had stated that the proposed project would have created 72 jobs and . . . Complete story »
Fitzmaurice slams Bord na Móna ‘spin tactics’ on new jobs
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has hit out at Bord na Móna’s announcement that it will create a further 885 new jobs over the next five years as the company continues to pursue its “brown-to-green” transformation. Describing the news as “disingenuous” and “spin tactics”, the Roscommon-Galway TD called on Bord na Móna’s CEO Tom Donnellan and Climate and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan “to be honest about the real picture, rather than highlighting the headline figures to suit the narrative they are . . . Complete story »
Over 1,500 submissions sent to council from Lemanaghan on development plan
The community of Lemanaghan and surrounding areas in west Offaly have sent in over 1,500 submissions to Offaly County Council in a bid to have a controversial clause in the Draft County Development Plan amended to prohibit the construction of wind energy projects. Friday is the closing date for submissions to the Council as part of the public consultation process on the Draft Development Plan, and locals in the west Offaly area of Lemanaghan are seeking to have the plan . . . Complete story »
Windfarms cannot be legally banned in Leitrim
A motion to ban “gross wind farm development on our mountain tops” and to place an amendment in the Leitrim County Development Plan was passed at this month’s Leitrim County Council meeting. But the ban is “not legally permitted” and so according to Director of Services Joseph Gilhooly is a “waste of time.” Cllr Des Guckian who brought the motion said “the place for wind farms is at sea.” He said “no hill top is safe in Leitrim” and outlined . . . Complete story »
Wind farms in Connemara
A chara, – There has been huge wind farm development in Connemara. This provides a very considerable input of green energy to the national grid. However, there has been a cost. Many have seen their areas transformed. Flicker and noise impinge on the daily life of those unlucky people who live nearby. The skyline is dominated by these huge steel structures. Beautiful unspoilt areas have been changed, probably forever. Yet Connemara remains a beautiful and special place. The destruction of . . . Complete story »
EU court rules against State aid complaint by Irish wind farms
The EU’s top court has dismissed a legal action by wind farm owners in Ireland against the European Commission over its refusal to conduct a formal investigation into allegations fossil fuel electricity generators are being granted illegal State aid. The Court of Justice of the EU (CJECU) ruled against the application by the Irish Wind Farmers’ Association (IWFA). The IWFA had claimed the different methods used by the Irish authorities for assessing commercial rates gives an unfair tax advantage to . . . Complete story »
Fishermen deserve say in location of offshore wind farms, argue MEPs
Fishermen must have a say in the location of offshore wind farms, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said on Wednesday. Building offshore wind farms can have a severe negative impact on marine life and fisheries, according to a report from MEPs, who want the EU to safeguard fishermen’s livelihoods. A majority of them voted for a resolution calling for fishermen and other interested parties to be allowed take part in decisions on locating and building wind farms. They highlight . . . Complete story »
