Tag Archives: Clare windfarms

Deputy Cathal Crowe has called on the government to publish long-awaited new planing guidelines for wind turbines without any further delay. Frustration is growing among communities throughout Clare who have major misgivings about the proliferation of wind turbines and the ongoing delay in updating the 2006 national wind energy guidelines. In fact, the government commenced a public consultation process on these guidelines on December 12, 2019. In November 2019, Deputy Crowe recalled they were due to come before the Dáil for ratification but these draft guidelines were not brought into law and have sat on Minister Eamon Ryan’s desk. “I raised this at a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and I was backed up by a number of rural deputies. “The National Guidelines on Wind Energy date back to 2006, which are outdated and not fit for purpose. “New wind farm guidelines are absolutely vital, no matter what side of the fence you are on. If you want a proliferation of …

ONE landowner in South-East Clare looks set to earn almost €2 million in total from wind farm payments over a 30-year period, if it obtains planning permission, a local lobby group has claimed. RWE Renewables has published a map with the proposed location of eight wind turbines at Fahy Beg, Fahy More North, Ballymoloney and Ballyknavin in Bridgetown. The Fahybeg Windfarm Information Group has estimated that one land owner may receive €1.92 million in total during the life time of the proposed 38.5 mega watt wind farm, which will break down to the equivalent of about 4.8 mega watt per turbine. Interestingly, a Limerick firm of solicitors will accrue the largest payment of an estimated €2.5 million as it is the land owner for two turbines and is listed as part owner of another one with a deceased land owner, who also owned land for a separate turbine before he died. Two other land owners own land where one turbine …

MORE than 1,000 residents in Cratloe, Bunratty, Ardnacrusha and Meelick will be forced to live in the shadow of “overpowering wind turbines” up to 1,600 feet above sea level if wind developments proceed on picturesque Clare Hills. That’s according to Gerry Ryan, who is very concerned over the planning designation of an area stretching from Cratloe on the western slopes of Gallows Hill across to Ardnacrusha in the East, as suitable for “strategic large scale wind turbines.” For countless generations, Mr Ryan said Clare people have enjoyed the beautiful views of Gallows Hill, Woodcock Hill and Ballycar Hill from Bunratty, Sixmilebridge, Ardnacrusha, Shannon to name but a few areas. “This beautiful backdrop is now under threat and the views from iconic attractions such as Bunratty Castle, Cratloe Woods, 12 O Clock Hills and countless other areas of Clare will be destroyed forever by the construction of 178 metre high wind turbines. “A conservative count of the homes either within the …

TWO wind farms with a total of 15 wind turbines could be located in close proximity to each other in South-East Clare after a developer unveiled new plans for another renewable energy development, writes Dan Danaher. EDF Renewables Ireland has announced plans to develop a 50 megawatt wind farm with up to seven turbines on land to the east of Broadford. The proposed Lackareagh Wind Farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. The project team is currently gathering wind data and mapping the environmental constraints on site which will be used to create a preliminary wind turbine layout. Detailed environmental studies will also be carried out at the site, including ecology, noise, landscape and visual assessments. The results of these studies, together with feedback gathered in consultation with local communities, will be used to determine the final wind farm layout and number of turbines. This is in addition to …

AN APPEAL has been made for a ban on further onshore windfarm development in North and West Clare, writes Fiona McGarry. Councillor Ian Lynch has described the West Clare Municipal District (WCMD) as “saturated with windfarms”. Addressing the July meeting of the district, he warned that the landscape and the viability of rural communities could be destroyed unless such a ban is imposed. The Independent member also said that with the future development of offshore wind energy infrastructure at the Moneypoint site, the need for more onshore facilities no longer exists. “West Clare is saturated with windfarms already and allowing planning permission for more of these developments will irreversibly destroy the natural landscape, the scenic beauty and the viability of rural communities,” Councillor Lynch said. The Kilrush native noted that the currently County Development Plan has designated the area as strategic in terms of wind energy production, but said members are now working to remove that designation. “This is not …