Planners Block Proposal for Largest Irish Windfarm

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Planning permission for the largest proposed windfarm in Ireland has been rejected.

The Irish planning authority, An Bord Pleanála (Dublin), has refused permission for the 49-turbine Carrickaduff onshore windfarm, which was proposed for County Donegal. The project, which Cork-based Planree Limited was developing, would have had a generating capacity of 105- megawatts (MW) and been capable of generating enough power for approximately 60,000 homes, or 80% of all Donegal households.

The controversial windfarm would have covered an area of 40- square kilometres (km) across some highly scenic territory near the famous Barnesmore Gap. The project would have seen an investment of more than $141 million and would have eclipsed the country's largest windfarm, Meentycat, which is also located in Donegal and has a generating capacity of 88.5 MW.

The application drew hundreds of objections from locals and environmental groups concerned with the scenic impact of the 117-metre-tall turbines and blades.

In its ruling, An Bord Pleanala said: "We are not satisfied that the development as proposed would not have a significant adverse effect on the ecological environment and would not adversely affect the integrity of certain European sites in view of those sites' conservation objectives".

A spokesperson for the Finn Valley Wind Action Group welcomed the decision.

"We wish to make it clear to the applicants in this case, and any others who may consider making a similar application in our area, that any future applications here will also be vigorously opposed. We are happy that An Bord Pleanala's decision and the reasons for the refusal recognise the constraints of this environment for windfarm development. We value our landscape and the integrity of our community. The Finn Valley is not open to speculators from venture funds now or in the future."

There are 235 windfarms on the island of Ireland, with a combined generating capacity of 3,078 MW. This is broken down into 2,436 MW in the Republic of Ireland and 642 MW in Northern Ireland. Combined they contributed around 24% of all electricity in 2015.

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