Ban on wind farms ‘unfair’
The decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation followed a request from ESB National Grid to permit outstanding technical issues to be resolved.
The CER said it was reluctant to approve an extension to the moratorium and is keen to see the underlying issues resolved. However, on the basis that the period will be utilised to address the issues, it had decided to approve an extension until March 31.
But the move was sharply criticised by Meitheal na Gaoithe, a group representing small scale wind farm developers.
Chairman Tommy Cooke said its members cannot understand the decision as it is widely acknowledged this type of small scale dispersal of development has a very low impact on the national grid.
“It even serves a very important and positive role in strengthening our grid system and providing cheap and clean renewable energy,” he said.
Mr Cooke said they cannot accept more obstacles being put in the way of stated government policy to promote renewable energy.
He called on Energy Minister Dermot Ahern to intervene immediately to ensure the €4m investment in planning and project development Meitheal members have made on the basis of government policy is secured.
He also called for an end to the discussion “on spurious technical issues” that other countries have solved many years ago.
Mr Cooke said it makes this country look very foolish and promotes a very negative image of our technical ability to overcome simple issues of this nature.
He added that Irish electricity consumers will pay a very heavy price for the inability to bring cheap renewable energy into the system within the next few years as environmental taxes are levied on polluting power sources and fossil fuels increase in price.
“Our members are ready, willing and able to provide this energy provided the government puts the systems in place to allow us to do so,” he said.
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