Some of the many difficulties surrounding the development of windfarms could be dealt with by ensuring real community participation and benefit derived from their operation.
This was the view of Independent MEP Marian Harkin following a meeting with representatives of the community owned Templederry Energy Resources which has two wind turbines operating in North Tipperary.
She said:- “Last October then Energy Minister Alex White pledged to introduce new measures to encourage community ownership of windfarms as he said that existing structures around community payback were weak and this would be addressed in the planned White Paper on Energy”.
“Luckily the community of Templederry had not waited for this government support as it was noticeably weak in the White Paper published in December last.”
Marian Harkin, MEP
“Renewable energy is an important component of Ireland’s future energy policy but the way it has developed to date through developer led massive windfarms being imposed on communities has resulted in huge opposition to projects throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. We still need a properly researched energy policy accompanied by a cost benefit analysis, and agreed set back distance from homes, schools etc. and a genuine opportunity for a community led and managed initiative.”
“The community of Templederry had to overcome many obstacles in developing their project which is now fully operational and, through its supply company, can service the electricity needs of their area”. Their project is a classic case of a community working together for their mutual longterm benefit, she said.
“What the community of Templederry has done is to provide themselves with a service which is cost controlled and which, for the future, provides a template for communities throughout Ireland to follow their positive leadership.”
“It is to the great credit of Templederry Energy Resources that they are prepared to share their experience in developing their project with communities elsewhere and are prepared to provide advice and assistance to communities wishing to follow their positive and successful example”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.