The developers behind a “landmark” offshore wind development off Clare’s coast are being urged to engage with communities to prevent a “black hole” of misinformation.
A special meeting of Clare County Council has been held this week to discuss Sceirde Rocks which will be Ireland’s first large-scale offshore windfarm if given approval.
The 450-megawatt windfarm proposed by Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta would consist of 30 turbines with a maximum tip height of 325 metres.
These would be constructed in the Atlantic Ocean at a location between five and 11.5 kilometres from the coast of Clare and Galway, with Carna being the nearest settlement.
To facilitate the project, landfall works involving the construction of a underground Transition Joint Bay at Killard in Doonbeg would be necessary, in order to connect the offshore cable to the onshore grid connection cable.
This week’s special meeting of Clare County Council has held to allow councillors to make comments will be amended to the planning application as a submission.
Kilmurry Ibrickane Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon says it’s important environmental consideration are to the fore so West Clare can continue its tradition of supplying electricity to the rest of the country.
It’s anticipated that once in operation, the windfarm would provide enough clean energy to power over 350,000 homes, which it’s claimed would avoid CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 180,000 petrol cars from Ireland’s roads.
Additionally, a proposed Community Benefit Fund would put €3.5 million into the local economy each year, amount to roughly €70 million over a 20-year period.
Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says given the extent of the planned works in Clare, towns and villages here must be consulted with.
A number of onshore windfarms have been proposed for sites in East Clare in recent years.
Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke says if Sceirde Rocks can truly generate the level of electricity it’s claimed it can, these onshore developments may not be necessary.
