Chapter 10 – Section 10.23 Wind Energy
The National Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2019 has set out an ambitious 70% target for renewable energy production out to 2030. To meet this target, the amount of electricity generated from renewables will have to be doubled on current figures. It is our view that the proposed Westmeath CDP must plan for and be supportive of all forms of renewable energy generation in order to contribute to this target and to Ireland’s transition to a competitive low carbon, economy by 2050.
Given the unique nature, character and scale of Bord na Móna's cutaway bogs we believe that the future use of these lands has the potential to make a significant contribution to national policies and objectives across a range of sectors including renewable energy, industrial development and job creation in rural areas, ecosystem services and biodiversity as well as tourism, amenity and recreation. In many cases these uses can be co-located thereby providing enhanced economic benefits to the areas in which such developments are located through direct and indirect employment opportunities. The optimisation and the realisation of the full potential value of the company's land bank is dependent on national, regional and local planning.
The suitability of peatlands for renewable energy developments in particular wind energy has been highlighted in the National Planning Framework (Project Ireland 2040) and in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region. In this regard, Bord na Móna warmly welcomes the inclusion of the following text in Section 10.23.2 of the Draft Plan on Industrial Scale Wind Farms:
“The Regional Economic and Spatial Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region (RSES) refers specifically to the after use of peatlands and consideration of their potential contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation including renewable energy production. With a strong history of energy production and an extensive electricity transmission network in place, the potential exists in such peatland areas for a smooth transition to renewable energy sources……The preferred locations for large scale energy production, in the form of windfarms, is onto cutover cutaway peatlands in the County, subject to nature conservation and habitat protection requirements being fully addressed.”
In addition, Bord na Móna welcomes, the many specific policy objectives listed in Section 10.23.2 addressing renewable energy, in particular the following:
CPO 10.135: Encourage large-scale energy production projects, in the form of Wind Farms, onto cutover cutaway peatlands in the County, subject to environmental, landscape, habitats and wildlife protection requirements being addressed.
These policy objectives point toward the significant potential for renewable energy development in County Westmeath. However, the inclusion of policy objective CPO 10.132, which specifies separation distances between wind turbines and residential dwellings is of significant concern, as it essentially prohibits the development of wind energy projects on Bord na Móna lands in the County and is in direct conflict with national and regional policy objectives to support the development of wind energy on peatlands and contribute to Ireland reaching its 2030 targets. It is also in conflict with the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 and the Draft Revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2019 which state the following with respect to setback in Section 6.18.1:
“Taking account of the various factors outlined a setback distance for visual amenity purposes of 4 times the tip height should apply between a wind turbine and the nearest point of the curtilage of any residential property in the vicinity of the proposed development, subject to a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres.”
The Guidelines go on to state that:
“It is a specific planning policy requirement of these Guidelines under Section 28(1C) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, that, in both their development planning and management functions, planning authorities shall not apply a setback distance that exceeds these requirements.”
Bord na Móna believe Westmeath County Council need to review and amend CPO 10.132 in light of this; not only to ensure consistency with the Guidelines, but also to ensure the Council’s wider commitment to support and enable renewable energy generation can be achieved.
Map 48: Wind Capacity
Bord na Móna also welcomes the commitment in Policy Objective CPO 10.149 to prepare a Renewable Energy Strategy for the County. In this regard, we would urge the Council to carry out a full assessment of renewable energy development in compliance with the methodologies outlined in SEAI Methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies (LARES) and with the current Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2006) and the Draft Revised Guidelines (2019). This will ensure that a consistent and transparent renewable energy zoning methodology is in place for all developers.
On a similar note, we also request that in parallel with the development of a Renewable Energy Strategy, that the Council reviews the Landscape Character Assessment for the County to ensure a consistent approach to the determination of lands that are suitable for the development of wind energy projects in the County. Currently, as an example, the Bord na Móna Ballivor Bog Group (Westmeath portion) sits within the River Deel Lowlands landscape character area. While peatlands have been identified as being suitable for wind energy development, the River Deel Lowlands are designated as being of “Low” suitability for Wind Energy in Map 48: Wind Capacity, which is a contradictory situation. It is our view, that a review of the Landscape Character Assessment for Co. Westmeath in conjunction with the development of the Renewable Energy Strategy will result in greater clarity regarding the suitability of lands for wind energy development and will assist developers eliminate uncertainty at project inception stage.