Wind Farm

Saorgus plans to extend wind farm

By Donal O'Reilly
Thu February 8th 01, The Kerryman

http://www.saorgus.com/tursillagh.html 

THE company behind the controversial Tursillagh wind farm is to apply to Kerry County Council for planning permission to extend the facility.

The plant, situated in the Stack's Mountains between the townlands of Tursillagh and Tooreen, has been open since November and currently operates 23 turbines.

However, the company now hopes to install a further 15 turbines and director Mike Barry anticipates that, all being well, these should be in use within some 18 months. Despite the opposition which the wind farm has attracted, Mr. Barry insist s that the advantages of this form of energy are obvious.

"At the moment, we are supplying the domestic needs of roughly half the population of Kerry," he explained. "To produce the same power from a conventional generator, you would be talking about burning about 10 tonnes of fuel, so the environmental benefits are clear."

However, he accepts that there are some who would argue that the appearance of the turbines is actually detrimental to the environment. "With every project, you'll always get both negative and positive reactions. Surveys in other countries have shown that before a wind farm is built, you would usually have about 80 per cent of local people concerned about the look of the thing and the remaining 20 per cent in favour.

3rd May 200 Press Release

Ireland to follow President Bush’s lead on global warming?

The Irish Wind Energy Association said today that the Government looks increasingly likely to be unable to comply with obligations under the international Kyoto Protocol. This will put us in the same position as the United States in not complying with the agreement.

In 1998 we agreed to hold carbon dioxide emissions increases over the 12 years (1998-2010) to 13%. However, WE HAVE ALREADY PASSED THIS MARK and so will now need to REDUCE our carbon dioxide emissions for the next 9 years. As the Celtic Tiger roars this may well be an impossible task, leading to massive fines for non-compliance. Government Ministers were very critical of President Bush’s stance on Kyoto – embarrassingly, we may well find ourselves in the same position.

The Irish Government ought to take immediate steps to ensure that we can meet our international obligations. The Government should consider adopting the Danish model. Denmark’s economy grew from 1999-2000 but carbon dioxide emissions fell at the same time. Denmark is well on its way to fulfilling its Kyoto obligations of a 20% reduction (as opposed to our 13% increase) despite a growing economy.

Denmark has the most highly developed wind energy industry in Europe and it was this that enabled the Danes to do what many in Ireland believed was impossible- reduce their carbon emissions.

 If the Danes can do it – so can we… Aidan Forde of the IWEA said
“All available means of reducing harmful pollution must be brought to bear on this problem. Government must get serious about developing the use of our national wind energy resources. I call on Minister Joe Jacob to put the money that wind energy saves in fuel imports into giving the industry a leg up in the near future. It will cost the country nothing and will stop at least 500,000 TONNES OF CARBON DIOXIDE per year getting into the already polluted environment”.

“If these kinds of initiatives are not put in place, like President Bush, we will end up in default of the Kyoto Protocol.”

For further information contact
Aidan Forde
Irish Wind Energy Association
Ph: 086-2398008

http://www.saorgus.com/tursillagh.html 

Link map of Irish windfarms

http://www.iwea.com/index1.html 

 

Wind Power may be breezing its way westwards 

Thursday, July 12 2001

A group of West Kerry residents have come up with a scheme that looks set to bring the winds of change sweeping in.

Michael Sullivan and John Kennedy involved the Local Community west of Camp right back to Dun Chaoin, in a wind power project. which eventually led to an ambitious plan featuring clusters of wind turbines, situated throughout the Peninsula. The power generated by the turbines would be sold to the ESB, with owners of land on which the turbines are situated likely to reap the biggest benefits.

The biggest outlay involved would be that of the turbines, which could cost from 800,000 to 1 million each. Committee members have already enlisted the help of Wexford man Francis Fanning, who works with wind power.

 
 Monday, May 21, 2001

2.9m plan for organic farmers

The Western Development Commission yesterday announced a 2.9m action plan for organic agri-food production. The report, which makes a total of 94 recommendations, states that affirmative action will be needed to create a vibrant organic agri-food industry.

There are 340 organic producers in the Western Region. The report sets a target of increasing the number to 900 and almost tripling the land under organic production by 2006.

Training, advice, education and research are identified also as key supports needed to develop the supply base in the Western Region.