Few jobs accruing from windfarms?

COMMUNITIES for Responsible Engagement with Wind Energy (CREWE) has claimed that prospective wind-energy developments in West Clare would create very few jobs and could divide communities.

Spokesperson Kathy Gorman, who is also a founder member of the Rural Protection Group in West Clare, said specialist teams are brought in to erect the turbines.

 

“The promise of jobs is used to gain local support but this has been proven, over and over again, to be a fallacy, with very few local jobs provided,” she claimed at a meeting of county councillors in Ennis on Monday.

“During the site preparation phase there will be some local employment but when it comes to the erection of the turbines, this will be carried out by visiting, specialist teams.

“The turbines are made overseas. Invariably these developments, once commissioned, are operated remotely. Therefore, there is no employment at this stage, other than routine maintenance.

“This is carried out by visiting engineers, again not local people,” the CREWE spokesperson claimed.

Ms Gorman continued, “Some windfarm developments have proven to be highly divisive in many local communities and even within families.

“The crux of the problem is that, whilst those who are involved in the development have some engagement with the windfarm developer and are perhaps aware of the possible impact of the development, others in the community are often unaware of the proposed plans until after the planning application has been lodged,” she maintained.

Councillor Oliver Garry said all views should be taken on board, while he pointed out that CREWE is not completely opposed to windfarm developments.

“We should listen to everybody. We should listen to the developers and we should listen to the people that are objecting to them. I must say that talking to Kathy [Gorman] and to other members of the group, they are not actually objecting to windfarms. They just want more regulation. Generally, people want to see an increase in the distance of turbines from their houses,” the Kildysart councillor noted.

Councillor Joe Arkins suggested that the county council re-examine its wind strategy.

“I think there’s probably a need to look at the strategy and see is it something we can make improvements on as we go forward. There is an issue of scale and there is also an issue of proliferation.

“To a certain extent, you are preaching to an audience that is at least a little bit converted to your thoughts,” the Ruan councillor told Ms Gorman and her delegation when pointing out that planning had been refused by Clare County Council for the erection of six 125m turbines in Coore West, near Slieve Callan.

Councillor Christy Curtin said Ms Gorman’s points were “reasonable and fair”.

“I presided as mayor over the County Development Plan. I can recall vividly quite considerable discussion pertaining to this particular strategy. It was well thought out,” Councillor Curtin commented.

Lissycasey councillor PJ Kelly expressed displeasure at the possibility that windfarms could be sold to overseas owners.

“There are issues in general which concern me about windfarms around the country. People promise the sun, moon and stars, get planning permission and then sell it off to somebody overseas. This is one of the serious issues I find about the whole thing,” Councillor Kelly commented.