Submissions on energy strategy

A long-term strategy that seeks to harness Clare’s off-shore wind, wave, hydro and biomass resources is expected to be finalised within 12 months, Clare County Council has confirmed.

Inviting submissions from the public and other stakeholders on issues to be addressed in the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy, Clare County Council is the first local authority in the country to seek to incorporate such a strategy into its county development plan. 
Submissions are being invited up to Friday, March 9, after which a draft renewable energy strategy will be produced and finalised.
A process involving a variation of the Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 to incorporate the strategy will take place during July and August, while the final strategy is expected to be adopted by the end of the year or January 2013.
Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes, said he regarded the harnessing of renewable energy resources as a key method of attracting inward investment to the county.
“We have an opportunity to exploit these resources and in doing so create clean energy and attract inward investment to the county and the country. This comes at a time when the country is searching for solutions to many social and economic issues,” stated Mayor Hayes.
He continued, “The preparation of a renewable energy strategy will help guide the location and development of renewable energy proposals and ancillary businesses while also establishing the views from members of the public and other stakeholders. I would encourage people to make their views known to the planning authority.”
Clare county manager Tom Coughlan emphasised that Clare is particularly fortunate to possess considerable wind, biomass, wave and tidal resources.
“It is imperative we have a strategy in place to maximise the potential of these resources while minimising any environmental impacts, thus enabling the county to achieve a low-carbon economy,” he said.
“The strategy will be prepared to reflect the changing economic environment and to provide a blueprint for increased economic activity and job creation through value-added activities such as manufacturing and research and development. It also will facilitate development of renewable energy having regard to recent technological advances and will identify the imperative requirement for enhanced grid connectivity regulation,” Mr Coughlan concluded.
An issues paper, which identifies renewable energy issues the new strategy could address, has been prepared to assist public consultation and comment. The issues paper is posted on the council website, www.clarecoco.ie, while copies will be available at Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis, and at local authority offices and public libraries between 9am to 5pm from Monday next to Friday, March 9.
Written submissions or observations can also be made in writing to the Clare County Council Offices, Forward Planning Unit, Planning, Community, Economic Development and Tourism Directorate, Áras Contae an Chláir.
Alternatively, submissions or observations may be emailed to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie or may be faxed to 065 6892071.