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Call on Government to overhaul grid system


THE Government has been asked to implement a radical overhaul of the electricity grid connection system to provide the vital spark needed for a new €150 million windfarm approved by An Bord Pleanála.

West Clare Renewable Energy chairman, Pádraig Howard warned it could take five or six years before the company can commence construction work on the project, which is expected to take about two years.
In spite of lodging an application for grid connection in 2007, the project is currently at the back of a long queue.
Mr Howard urged the Government to live up to the pledge contained in its Programme for Government to fast-track the provision of renewable energy projects.
In addition to securing planning permission, he pointed out the windfarm is in an area of high wind speed and near the existing grid connection, which means it fulfils a number of criteria that should be part of any radical reform in the assessment process.
The new development was welcomed by Councillor Michael Hillery who said it would create badly needed jobs for West Clare.
According to documents provided by the appeals’ board, inspector Kevin Sergeant recommended planning should be refused or that additional information should be sought from the applicant. This recommendation was not accepted by the board following the receipt of additional information.
Mr Sergeant expressed concerns about the visual impact of the development. However, the board accepted the implementation of the planning authority’s wind energy strategy would result in an impact on the landscape in the relevant areas of the county. The board considered the proposed development would be acceptable at this location in terms of visual amenity, notwithstanding the proximity to a designated “scenic route”.
The inspector also had concerns in relation to the protection of the hen harrier and its habitats.
The board sought a more detailed Conservation and Habitat Management Plan with particular reference to the hen harrier and it was satisfied the submitted plan was satisfactory in relation to the protection of the hen harrier and its habitat.
Having examined the additional information in relation to existing and permitted windfarms in the area, the board was satisfied on the basis of the environmental impact statement and additional information in respect of any cumulative effects.
It also considered the additional engineering ground stability studies adequately addressed its concerns in this respect, including in relation to turbine number four. Noting the consent for the windfarm development from the owner of the house, the board considered the impact of the development on other residential properties had been adequately addressed in the EIS and supplementary information.
The board stipulated in one of its conditions that the company has 10 years to complete the development from the date of the order and planning permission lasts for a 25-year period. Wind turbines and ancillary structures have to be removed at the end of this period unless retention permission is granted.
Turbines number three and 31 had to be omitted from the initial plans in the interest of protecting residential amenities. Prior to the start of the development, the company had to enter into a written agreement in respect of implementation and monitoring by a suitably qualified ecologist or environmental scientist of the Conservation and Habitat Management Plan.
During the operational period, noise levels resulting from the operation of the wind turbines when measured at the nearest inhabited house cannot exceed 43dBA.

 

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