Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the company behind this proposal?
Enerco Energy Limited is an Irish-owned company based in Lissarda, near Macroom in County Cork. This company has extensive experience in the design, construction, and operation of renewable energy developments throughout Ireland. It is responsible for wind and solar projects currently operating in Counties Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway, and Mayo. For more information about Enerco Energy Limited visit www.enercoenergy.ie.
2. Why are wind farms needed?
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and a cut of 51% by 2030, transitioning Ireland to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.
The Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP) identified the need to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources by up to 80% where achievable and cost effective, without compromising security of electricity supply, identifying a need for 9 GW (gigawatt) of onshore wind generation in order for Ireland to meet its 2030 targets.
3. How close will the nearest turbine be to a house?
It is intended to achieve a minimum setback distance of 4 times turbine ground to blade tip height, 740m (185m x 4), to all third-party properties. However, this setback distance can be reduced for involved properties, subject to a minimum setback distance of 500m from any relevant property.
4. Why are the wind turbines so big?
Larger turbines maximise the amount of electricity produced from the clean renewable source. Wind energy is key to the Government’s Climate Action Plan. The proposed height of the turbines is standard for modern wind turbines, and similar turbines have already been granted planning permission throughout the Country. The landscape and visual impact will be assessed for the proposed development, which will involve generating photomontages of the proposed development.
5. Are wind turbines noisy?
Shadow flicker is the effect of the sun (low on the horizon) shining through the rotating blades of a wind turbine, casting a moving shadow in a room in a nearby property. It will be perceived as a “flicker” due to the rotating blades repeatedly casting the shadow. This effect lasts only for a short period of time until the sun passes beyond the turbines. A shadow flicker study will be included as part of the planning application documentation and that will provide predicted shadow flicker levels at neighbouring properties together with proposals to mitigate shadow flicker effect where necessary.
6. What is shadow flicker?
Shadow flicker is the effect of the sun (low on the horizon) shining through the rotating blades of a wind turbine, casting a moving shadow in a room in a nearby property. It will be perceived as a “flicker” due to the rotating blades repeatedly casting the shadow. This effect lasts only for a short period of time until the sun passes beyond the turbines. A shadow flicker study will be included as part of the planning application documentation and that will provide predicted shadow flicker levels at neighbouring properties together with proposals to mitigate shadow flicker effect where necessary.
7. When will a public information exhibition be held?
Once the site surveys are complete, and the relevant data compiled, a public information exhibition will be held. A letter with the details regarding the place and time of such exhibition will be furnished to all households. An advert will also be published in the local newspaper to inform the wider community.
8. When will the planning application be submitted?
Under section 37 of the Planning & Developments Act 2000, as amended, a wind energy development which has potential to generate greater than 50MW (megawatt) of electricity, it will be considered to be a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). A query will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in this regard. However, it is envisaged that the proposed development will constitute SID and that a planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in the middle of next year. However, if the scale of the project was to be reduced to less than 50MW, the planning application would then be directed to Galway County Council.
9. What are the benefits of the project to the community?
At this stage of the proposed development, it is not possible to determine the exact community benefit. However, the below example outlines what the potential benefit could be under the current Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) T&Cs for an output of 50MW. The RESS contribution for wind energy is currently set at €2/MWh (megawatt hour).
A 50MW development developed under RESS, would attract a community contribution of approximately €325,000 per annum. The value of this fund would be directly proportional to the electricity generated by the development. Under the current RESS T&C’s, this fund is to be divided as follows:
• Direct payments: A minimum €1,000 payment per annum for houses within 1km of the development.
• Energy Efficiency: A minimum of 40% of the funds per annum is available for the development of energy initiatives to benefit people living in the local area (i.e., PV panels, solar thermal panels etc.)
• Support for local groups: The remainder of the fund is available for local groups, clubs and not for profit organisations that provide services in the local area. This includes but is not limited to the following services: services for the elderly, local community buildings, the development of sporting facilities and community amenities such as all-weather playing pitches, walkways, playgrounds.
• Administration costs: A maximum of 10% of this fund is available for the administration and governance costs of the fund.
The Community Benefit Fund belongs to the local community. The purpose of the fund is to bring about significant positive change to the local area. To make this happen, the first task is to form a benefit fund development working group which includes representatives from neighbours to the development and the local community. This group will then work on designing the governance and structure of a community entity that would administer the Community Benefit Fund. Further details of the RESS community benefit fund structure and a similar example can be found in the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5f12f-community-projects-and-benefit-funds-ress/
10. If the planning application is successful, when will works begin?
Typically, it can take one to two years to get a consented project to construction stage. The expected timeline for construction of the proposed development is 12 -18 months.
11. What are the Environmental Benefits?
The proposed development is expected to generate approximately 50 MW of renewable, carbon-neutral electricity, which is enough to supply over 50,000 homes per annum, based on average household use (Source: CRU Typical Consumption Figure 2017). Neither wind turbines, nor underground cables, emit toxic substances or air pollutants, unlike coal or gas power stations. In addition to a reduced dependence on oil and other imported fuels, the generation of electricity from the proposed development will displace approximately 95,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum from the largely carbon-based traditional energy mix.
12. What is the orientation of the turbines?
The turbines will face into the wind and therefore their orientation will vary depending on wind direction. All the turbines will be designed to rotate in the same direction.
10. If the planning application is successful, when will works begin?
Typically, it can take one to two years to get a consented project to construction stage. The expected timeline for construction of the proposed development is 12 -18 months.