Developers: Community fund depends on wind farm going ahead

AHEAD of a community meeting in Bodyke on the recent grant of planning permission to a 19-turbine wind farm on the slopes of Slieve Bernagh, the developers have responded to concerns raised by a local TD.

FuturEnergy Ireland – a joint renewables venture between the ESB and Coillte – said in a statement that the Community Benefit Fund “is contingent on the project being built and constructed as per the application and planning conditions”. However, the company added that it is “exploring options to bring forward a portion of the anticipated fund”. 

Earlier this month, Deputy Michael McNamara called on the developers to honour a promise to fund local sports clubs, even in the event of a legal challenge to the project. Planning permission was issued by An Bord Pleanála on September 29, subject to 20 conditions. In a response to a query from The Champion, the company said it has asked to meet Deputy McNamara to discuss the project and allay his concerns.

In relation to the Community Benefit Fund, which the company said could contribute €10 million during the lifetime of the project, the developers said: “All commitments made in FuturEnergy Ireland’s planning application are consistent with our early engagement model and conversations with the local community about the proposed Carrownagowan Wind Farm project”. 

The developers added they will seek to develop the project via the government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). They noted that the RESS Handbook outlines that “all planning matters have been appropriately resolved” by the time the fund opens. 

“FuturEnergy Ireland would like to show its support for the local community earlier than an official operational date of the wind farm,” the statement added. “The Carrownagowan project team is currently exploring options to bring forward a portion of the anticipated fund to an earlier date so that it is available during the pre-construction/construction period.”

Responding to the statement, Deputy McNamara said he is open to meeting representatives of the company, but insisted that “a simple yes or no answer” is sufficient to address the questions he set out in an email to them. The Independent TD reiterated his concerns about the potential impact of a wind farm on the Slieve Bernagh. “I have no problem with wind farms,” he said, “but they have to be located on sites where there is no risk of landslides.”

Deputy McNamara also challenged FuturEnergy Ireland’s assertion that its community engagement process “remains very extensive”. The company said its two Community Liaison Officers “have built strong relationships with those who live in the local area and continue to be available to answer queries and questions about this project”. Deputy McNamara, however, said that those living in the catchment of rivers which might be damaged in the event of a landslide had not been consulted with. 

A public meeting will take place on Friday evening, October 28, at the Cobbler’s Rest, Bodyke, to to examine options now that the wind farm has been granted under the Strategic Infrastructure Act. Deputy McNamara said that representatives of the developer would be “more than welcome to attend”.