Protests over Limerick wind farm blow up in the west

DAILY protests have taken place in Adare over plans to build a wind farm near Coolcappa.

It comes as the company behind the plans vows to press ahead with the project, with a spokesperson saying a planning application is due “in the coming months”.

A six-turbine wind farm with an overall height of 158 metres is what is proposed close to Coolcappa.

But in response to the plans, a local community action group has been formed, and they are holding demonstrations in protest near the offices of developer Ballynisky Green Energy in Adare.

The community action group’s co-secretary Brenda Dowling has said the aim is to build public awareness and support.

They’ve argued the turbines will be located within 800 metres of 15 homes and one kilometre of 50 houses in total.

The group has identified a number of issues with what is proposed, including the effect on public health locally, noise and vibrations and ‘shadow flicker’.

This occurs when the sun is low enough in the sky - in the evenings or mornings - that wind turbines pass over it causing a brief shadow over landscapes and buildings every few seconds.

For its part, Ballynisky Green Energy has said the turbines are designed with technology that prevents shadow flicker.

Ms Dowling says the development is being proposed based on wind energy guidelines published 20 years ago, and not updated by government in the time since.

“The government has been sitting on the revision of these guidelines for so long. Wind energy developers throughout the country are using outdated guidelines to push through developments which are unsuitable,” she says.

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The group have raised concerns over the devaluation of their properties, and the impact on parts of Coolcappa, including the national school and local GAA club.

Ballynisky Green Energy say they remain open to talks with the Coolcappa Community Action Group.

“The project will fully comply with national regulations on noise and once operational, a comprehensive noise monitoring regime will be undertaken to ensure the proposed development complies with regulations,” they added.

The firm also said it will create a €150,000-per-year community benefit fund.