Connemara windfarm could generate multi-million euro community fund

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A community fund of up to 5 million euro could be generated if the proposed development of a major windfarm in Connemara is granted permission by An Bord Pleanala. An application from Ardderroo Windfarm Limited seeks to erect 29 turbines in the townlands of Killaguile, Letter, Uggool, Ardderroo and Finnaun. Councillors at this week's meeting were told that the 4000 acre site contains only two homes, and that one of the affected landowners is directly involved with the development. The current application states that 1.5 million euro will be put into a community fund over the course of 25 years as a result of the development, which will generate rates of 696 thousand euro a year. Connemara district councillor Noel Thomas proposed that the council should seek a more substantial community gain fund of 200,000 per annum for 25 years, which would be index linked. Councillor Tom Welby also proposed that the community would not be required to raise matching funds in order to benefit from the community gain fund. Both proposals were agreed by the full council. Ninety percent of the proposed windfarm will be located on lands that are owned by Coillte, and will generate 87 megawatts of electricity. The energy that would be generated would power 62,000 homes, or 70% of all the homes in County Galway. The project will require a development contribution of 230 thousand euro. 16 submissions were received by An Bord Pleanála on the plans- five from prescribed bodies and 11 from third parties. The file is now with the planning inspector who will prepare a report for the consideration of the board. A decision is due in March next year.