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Action 23. Wind Energy

Recent EU and Government incentives have resulted in a huge interest in wind energy developments. The Department of Public Enterprise's renewable Energy Strategy aims to source 500MW of energy or 10.7% of Ireland's electricity supply from renewables by 2005, which IPCC fully supports.

At present renewables provide 6% of our total energy resource. In 1990 this figure was just 1% (EPA 2000). There are 27 windfarms in operation in Ireland producing 155 MW, the majority of these projects are located in upland areas (see Table 3.23.1). Several windfarms are operational in the country on sites that had an important nature conservation value but were not designated as NHAs/SACs because Dúchas had never formally surveyed them. Unfortunately their conservation value was only recognised after planning applications had been made. Without being formally designated, the wildlife importance was not considered significant by planning authorities in their decision to grant permissions for the developments.

The uplands are the prime current target for the siting of these developments because average wind speeds are higher compared with lowland situations. Windfarm developments are generally accompanied by a considerable road infrastructure needed for the servicing of the individual wind turbines. Erosion of fragile peatlands due to hydrological and physical disturbance of the peat is a real risk if windfarm developments are permitted in peatland landscapes. The potential impact on important bird species due to disturbance and habitat fragmentation is also an important concern. Assessment of potential ecological impacts is hampered by lack of information and experience with such developments. Furthermore the current state of knowledge on upland ecology also renders impact assessment extremely difficult and, as an increasingly threatened nature conservation resource, highlights the need for a comparative ecological survey of Irish upland.

General Objective
To ensure that windfarm developments are situated in suitable locations throughout Ireland.

IPCC took the initiative to draw up a series of recommendations concerning the Irish Windfarm Programme in 1998 and have formulated a policy on wind farms 2001. For more information see IPCC Policy on Wind Energy and the threat to upland bogs 2001. IPCC have also campaigned strongly for the completion of an upland survey of blanket bog and wet heath habitats to identify possible NHAs/SACs.

Since 1996 IPCC have reviewed all planning applications for windfarms in upland areas. This action has resulted in improved assessments being made of the possible impacts of a proposed development on the natural environment. Developers are often required to carry out best practice techniques in the construction phase of a project and they can be obliged to carry out monitoring of the impacts on the habitats during and after the construction phase.

Actions
3.23.1 The Department of Public Enterprise must ensure that no funding is given to windfarm developments that are within proposed NHAs/SACs by referring all applications to Dúchas.

3.23.2 Dúchas must complete the upland survey without further delay for the purpose of designating NHAs/SACs.

3.23.3 Local Authorities in consultation with interested parties should zone the areas in each county suitable for windfarm development. This zoning must be incorporated into each county development plan.

3.23.4 IPCC recommend that the Department of Public Enterprise review the pricing structure under the AER (Alternative Energy Requirement) Schemes and should attempt to ensure that pricing structure makes non-upland areas attractive for wind energy producers.

For more information see IPCC Policy on Wind Energy and the threat to upland bogs 2001