A total of 16 wind energy projects – with full planning permission and grid connection offers – “are at medium or high risk of not being built” ...The problem is arising because connection dates project developers have been offered are all for late 2019, according to IWEA chief executive Dr David Connolly. To qualify for renewable energy feed-in tariff (REFIT) schemes, they need to be built, connected and exporting electricity by March 31st, 2020.

Transmission Ireland

A recent series of protests by a small number of people living close to the site at Bellacorick has highlighted wider concerns about the developers’ approach. “North Mayo has learned the meaning of community but the handling of this wind-farm project so far shows the State clearly has not,” says Brendan Lavelle of Keenagh Community Development.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Ireland

Article impact statement: Wind farm effects on birds in upland areas are guild specific and mediated by changes in land use associated with wind farm construction.

Impact on Birds Ireland

Populations are much smaller close to turbines because their habitat has been ruined, study finds; Clearing habitats to make wind turbines is killing off birds in Ireland; Populations were ten per cent lower in areas close to wind turbines; Forest species such as chaffinches, great tits and gold-crests were worst hit

Impact on Birds Ireland

New research has shown that there is a decrease in Irish bird populations in the areas immediately adjacent to wind turbines. As wind farms become more widespread in upland habitats, this may affect how birds use these areas.

Impact on Birds Ireland

The wind energy sector has been told it must engage in real consultation with communities and avoid "disinformation" if wind turbines are to become acceptable to local people. ..."In many cases I could see the proposed locations were in areas of high amenity or areas of conservation, places they would never get permission for turbines.

General Ireland

The Irish Raptor Study Group has been granted permission to bring judicial review proceedings challenging a decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a 19-turbine wind farm located at Meenbog in South Eastern Donegal. ...They claimed that while the developer in its application did not identify the presence of breeding Hen Harrier on the wind farm site IRSG volunteers had identified two pairs of breeding Hen Harrier in the same area.

Impact on Birds Ireland

A record £3.1million was paid to wind farms in the space of one day for switching off turbines when it became too windy. The compensatory sum was handed to operators on Saturday because electricity supply outstripped demand.

Taxes & Subsidies Ireland

A windfarm company has gone to court in a row over its efforts to get connected to the national grid.

Legal Ireland

In its Supreme Court appeal, the board argued the High Court judgment set a “very high threshold” concerning the reasoning requirements for a planning decision maker when a decision involves either an EIA or an AA. If the High Court findings were upheld, that would have serious consequences for how the board and other planning authorities approach making decisions, it argued.

Legal Ireland

The Supreme Court has overturned permission for a wind farm in Co Clare due to An Bord Pleanála’s failure to make “complete, definitive and precise” findings required by European law for a valid Appropriate Assessment of the project.

General Ireland

Ireland's state electricity board is behind a plan to build a 91mw wind farm in the Highlands. It is the latest project by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), which has been quietly amassing wind power plants in Scotland.

Impact on Landscape Ireland UK

Two large Irish wind farm portfolios have been put on the market by their owners.

General Ireland

Legal Ireland

Ireland faces fines of €600m a year from the EU for failing to meet renewable energy targets and cutting carbon emissions by 2020.

Energy Policy Ireland

The Court of Justice of the EU has upheld arguments by opponents of a wind farm concerning the extent of Coillte’s environmental responsibilities in relation to grid connection works for a wind farm in Co Laois.

General Ireland

Mr Justice Michael Twomey refused to quash the decision and remit it back to the board. He said that despite the alleged errors ...there was a reasonable basis upon which the board could refuse permission.

Legal Ireland

The number of complaints received for wind farm noise is significantly higher in Omagh and Fermanagh District than any other council area. According to latest statistics from DAERA, there was a total of 13 noise complaints.

Impact on People Noise Ireland

This article examines the issues surrounding infrasound and low frequency sound (ILFN) by reporting on the work of Dr Mariana Alves-Pereira. Accredited acousticians cannot ascertain compliance levels for ILFN because there are none – the vast majority of regulations worldwide do not cover this part of the acoustic spectrum. The full article including charts and images can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.

Impact on People Noise Ireland

An appeal to overturn a decision by Tipperary Co. Council blocking development of a windfarm in Hollyford, west Co. Tipperary, has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

General Ireland