Shannon Airport has hit out at the company representing the developers of a proposed windfarm in East Clare over a lack of consultation, on a plan it claims “would adversely affect safe air traffic services.”
It comes as FuturEnergy Ireland, a joint venture of ESB and Coillte seeks to progress a large scale renewable energy project in Knockshanvo.
Last November, An Bord Pleanála deemed the Knockshanvo Windfarm to be a Strategic Infrastructure Development, meaning if it gets the green light, the decision cannot be appealed to the board.
But, Shannon Airport along with the semi-state body responsible for air traffic management, Air Nav Ireland claim they were not informed, when the private development planning application was submitted at the end of August.
Both parties are objecting to the development on aviation safety grounds.
In a letter to An Bord Pleanála, seen by Clare FM, The Shannon Airport Authority DAC says the sitting of wind turbines at this location may have implications for the operations of the communication, navigation and surveillance systems used by AirNav Ireland in the separation and safety of aircraft and that the turbines may affect flight paths.
FuturEnergy Ireland claims the 50MW (Mega-Watt) windfarm would provide enough clean energy to power 48,656 homes annually and save 1.6m tonnes of carbon emissions, and has estimated a community benefit fund in the region of €6.5m.
The development would involve the erection of 9 turbines between 179m and 185m in height on lands 3km south of Broadford and 4km north-east of Sixmilebridge.
Shannon Airport claims this would add new obstacles in its vicinity, which would have the potential to compromise it’s Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP’s) and would adversely affect safe air traffic services.
The letter also states the reflection and shadowing from the turbines would have significant negative impacts on the Woodcock Hill Radar Monitoring Station in Meelick for which there are no credible mitigations and could not be eliminated.
A decision is due to be made on the application by March 3rd of next year.
