Changes in air for wind energy

A CO CORK company is proving that jobs can be created in the wind energy industry here without intruding on the landscape or damaging the environment.

Avonmore Electrical, of Roskeen, Mallow, is developing a niche market in this fast-growing sector by doing maintenance and servicing of generators for three wind energy companies in Britain and has taken on three apprentices on the strength of that additional work.

Avonmore was among a host of technology companies at a recent Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) conference, in Killarney. It was quite an upbeat event and a key message to emerge was that Ireland could become a major exporter of wind energy to Britain and several other European countries.

And while ambitious job projections have to be treated with some scepticism, this potential export market, and the possibilities for developing and servicing wind technology, sounds exciting. One expert said up to 30,000 jobs could be created here.

Managing director Derry Sheehan of Avonmore believes servicing wind energy technology from home and overseas could yet amount to up to 20% of their total work. “This is very labour-intensive work, with two of our people involved in one job for four to six weeks” he explained. “This is still a young industry and we see massive growth in the next 20 years.”

Founded in 1958 by Mr Sheehan’s father, Jerry, who is still hale and hearty, the company employs 67 people and provides specialist services in electrical motor rewinding. Starting with just two people, it has expanded through the years and has a 4,645 sq m factory on the Mallow to Killarney road.

Many wind turbine manufacturers are looking for locations in Europe and Ireland is in a good position to attract these companies, according to Kenneth Matthews, IWEA chief executive. High-quality jobs will be available for people with the right qualifications.

It’s all very well, however, for investors to talk about big plans, but the rights of local communities must also be considered. People are dead right to be wary that their environment and quality of life is not undermined by what is, after all, profit-driven investment.

As well as being a blot on scenic hilly environments, as can be seen clearly in Cork and Kerry, windfarms can also cause landslides because of disturbance to fragile landscapes and can affect already endangered wildlife.