Search Results for 'renewable energy strategy'

Next Monday’s meeting of Mayo County Council will see a number of different motions come before the councillors in relation to different strands of energy issues in the county including the Eirgrid project. Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne has one motion calling “that Mayo County Council invite Dr David Connolly, who is a renewable energy expert and native of Ballyhaunis, to give a presentation to the members of Mayo County Council so we might learn from the experience of the windy western counties of Denmark, and their efforts to achieve a situation where 100% of their energy requirement is supplied by renewable energy and where renewable energy is the largest employer. Dr. David Connolly is now assistant professor in Aalborg University, Denmark.”

Sinn Féin county councillor Gerry Murray has expressed serious concerns about a number of proposals by various companies to build wind farms in high amenity areas of Mayo. Cllr Murray said the size and the scale of some of these proposals would seriously threaten the natural amenity of Mayo and would have serious consequences for tourism in the county in general. One such proposal in North Mayo is for 450 wind turbines with 90 acres required for each turbine.

A proposed wind farm and energy storage hub, which will provide electricity to the UK market has the potential to create in the region of 2,000 sustainable jobs in north Mayo, Mayo County Council was told this week. The jobs are expected to be created in the construction of the project, along with the manufacturing and maintenance of the wind farm elements.

Killala based councillor Jarlath Munnelly has welcomed the decision of An Taisce to withdraw its appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the Mayo Power project at Killala. The Fine Gael councillor, who had been very critical of An Taisce’s decision to object to this project, stated that this was a sensible decision for all parties involved. “I am delighted that An Taisce has withdrawn their appeal. I think this is a good decision for all parties, as this is a very sound, sustainable, project with many benefits for both the local community and the environment.”

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny has appointed Deputy Michelle Mulherin as chair of the newly formed Fine Gael Policy Committee for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The designation of An Taisce as a prescribed body under planning regulations has come under criticisms from members of Mayo County Council. This follows An Taisce’s decision to appeal to An Bord Pleanála the planning permission for Mayo Power to construct a 50 Mw power station at Killala. As a prescribed body, An Taisce is notified about almost all planning applications in the country, and can ultimately appeal those applications to An Bord Pleanála.