‘Ideal test site’ for research

A LOCATION on Kinvara bay is an “ideal test site” for research into renewable technologies, according to a company that has spent millions of euro on research and development.

Galway County Council has given the green light for two further wind turbines and meteorological masts to be erected on the coast between Kinvara and Ballinderreen for the purposes of research into renewable technologies.
The local authority granted permission this week to Joe Brady, care of Paddy Kennedy, Construction Design, Surveying and Planning, Athenry, for the project in Tarrea, Kilcolgan, South Galway. The wind turbines will be erected and operated by Athenry-based C&F Green Energy.
“C&F Green Energy are well advanced in the development of the CF50e. We have been testing our unique generator in house over the last eight months and wish to conduct field tests at a coastal location where wind shear is minimal, wind speeds are above average and wind turbulence is at a minimum.
“An adequate grid connection is also essential to our testing. Tarrea Pier fits all conditions and represents an ideal test site,” said its CEO John Flaherty in mid-October after a request for further information from Clare County Council.
Mr Flaherty said the company has “dedicated significant resources and have [sic] initiated an extensive research and development program running into millions of euro, with the aim of building the best 50kw wind turbine in the world”.
In February this year, the council granted permission to Mr Brady for a single wind turbine and meteorological mast on the site and this was under construction when the most recent application was made for two further turbines and masts.
Paddy Kennedy, also responding to the council’s request for further information, pointed out the “original wind turbine granted planning permission (in February) is being operated by GMIT, also for the purpose of research into renewable technologies”.
“Both C&F Wind Energy and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have identified the said site as an ideal test site for research purposes due to the abundance of unobstructed wind flow over the property,” he continued.
A separate planning application by Mr Brady for meteorological masts for the purposes of research into renewable technologies was submitted in June this year but was deemed invalid after an inspection on July 1 revealed that no site notice was visible at the site.