Swiss energy firm eyes wind farm development on land in Limerick

THE IRISH arm of a Swiss energy firm is seeking to develop a wind farm in Limerick.

JC Mont-fort Ireland is in the process of assessing the suitability of land in Limerick to install turbines on.

No decision has yet been made on lands, but it’s planning on applying for permission at the end of next year.

A target date of between 2030 and 2031 has been set for the firm to begin being fully operational and delivering power to the grid.

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It’s already working on developing an on-shore wind farm in the townland of Illaunbaun in west Clare.

This development, situated near Miltown Malbay and Lahinch, is currently before planners.

The firm says it has 80 megawatts of output secured.

With Ireland having a target of generating 80% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, a number of wind farms are planned across Limerick.

These have prompted a mixed reaction, particularly among immediate communities who have expressed concerns of the size and scale of turbines.

However, Limerick Live understands JC Mont-fort Ireland will deliberately target turbines which are smaller in scale.

On top of this, the company will have one turbine owned locally in the community.

This will be known as a locally owned turbine, and would be managed for the local community ensuring the profits, and environmental benefits remain in the immediate area.

Its development in Clare features this.

A family firm, JC Mont-fort is based in the resort of Verbier in Switzerland’s Alpine region.

The company has operational wind farm schemes in Spain and France.