There was palpable anger expressed by local residents, opposed to what is termed a “community wind farm”, set to be developed at Riverstown, Gurteen at meeting in the village held to gauge the thoughts of the local community.
Planning permission was applied for by the company called Riverstown Locally Owned Turbine Limited, which is registered in Kinsale, Co Cork and was granted by Sligo County Council in 2024.
The project is spearheaded by Declan Collins, a renewable energy consultant involved in other similar projects across the country. That decision was subsequently appealed, unsuccessfully, to An Coimisiún Pleanála by local, Tony Murray, Kilshalvey, Gurteen.
Noting his objections to the proposal, Mr Murray said in his appeal, “This project is being portrayed as locally owned, with all profits returned to local owners. There is no information as to the identity of the local owners or how locals may qualify to be owners.
“Riverstown Locally Owned Turbine Limited is a company registered in May 2023 with a registered address in Cork. There has been no prior consultation with residents in the area,” he claimed.
The public meeting in Gurteen last Thursday night, October 22, was organised as part of the Recode (Renewable Energy Community-Developer Engagement) Project with Dr Thomas Van Rensburg, an environmental economist and senior lecturer in economics at NUIG who acknowledged at the outset of the meeting that the project was “slightly unusual” as it involves an industry partner.
According to the SEAI website the Recode project, “Explores the potential for communities to collaborate with experienced developers to avoid many of the risks associated with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) development.”
He explained the project was running for two years and is funded by the Irish government. He noted that he is working alongside Declan Collins and local communities to hear opinions from local residents in relation to the development and renewable energy in general, but it quickly became apparent that not one person in attendance was in favour of the development, with many saying they were unaware of the plans that are in place, even though they live in close proximity.
At the outset of the meeting, Mr Van Rensburg sought the views of those in attendance in relation to renewable energy in general.
The reaction to renewable energy was positive but the overriding message was the same from everybody who addressed the meeting - the wind turbine is not wanted in the locality by the people who live there.
One person said, “I have no problem with it but there is a place for it, not outside people’s houses.”
Another in attendance agreed he had no problem with wind energy but suggested, “Before they build anymore, fix the 55% of them that are not working” in a nearby windfarm.
Dr Thomas Van Rensburg, environmental economist and senior lecturer in economics at NUIG
When Dr Van Rensburg asked those in attendance if the ownership model of the proposed wind farm was explained, the reply came in unison: “No.”
Those in attendance were then asked, “Does no one in the community want it?” Again the reply was an emphatic, “No.”
When a member of the audience stated, “A solar farm is trying to be shoved on us,” Dr Van Rensburg replied, “I know nothing about that.”
The potential impact on day to day life was raised by all in attendance with one person remarking, “We live in a lovely area. Some are here all their lives, some are only new. What it sounds to us is that we are in the middle of nowhere and no one cares about it.”
In reply Dr Van Rensburg insisted, “This model is based on community ownership.” Once again those in attendance replied as one: “We don’t want it.”
You can tell him he has a fight on his hands. We will block the road with lorries and tractors
Meeting attendee
Another in attendance made his outright opposition to the proposal clear when he said, “He (Declan Collins) is ticking boxes by having you here. You can tell him he has a fight on his hands. We will block the road with lorries and tractors.”
When Dr Van Rensburg asked what those in attendance thought the potential advantages to a community might be, arising from a community owned windfarm, one person replied: “free energy.”
Dr Van Rensburg confirmed, “You would be able to sell excess power.”
In reply a person in attendance stressed, “You can’t do that to a community, it’s going to divide the community. The fact we are going to get free electricity is bull****.”
When the issue of who was going to pay for the community turbine, the reply was that it will be funded with the aid of financial institutions, who would need to be reimbursed.
Following up on this point a member of the audience stated, “There is one financial gain and that is to the person who sent you here. All the community will be left with is the disposal bill.”
Fears and concerns were raised regarding property being devalued, the potential impact on a nearby equine farm with Dr Van Rensburg saying, “These local issues can be very important.”
With the sense of frustration inside Gurteen Parish Hall growing, one local resident said, “I think we are being set-up. Is this being used as community consultation, you’re not exactly independent. You’re ticking a very nice box for the SEAI.”
Another resident expressed her concern saying, “I’m not benefiting and it sounds like nobody else here is.”
Pointing to areas of concern she added, “Noise, flickering, sleep disturbances, we are worried about animals and wildlife. Property is being devalued up to 15%. It sounds like somebody is saying, ‘that’s grand, I’ve got my research done’. This would be like a turkey voting for Christmas.”
When it was put to those in attendance by Dr Van Rensburg that, “You are stakeholders,” the room again replied in unison with the answer this time being: “No we are not.”
The Orange Order did not go down Garvaghy Road and the windmill will not go down this road
Meeting attendee
Another voicing his anger said, “The Orange Order did not go down Garvaghy Road and the windmill will not go down this road.”
When those in attendance were asked to raise their hands if they had been in dialogue with Mr Collins for an hour or more and had the model of community owned wind turbines explained to them, not one hand was raised.
Dr Van Rensburg acknowledged, “That is an issue,” adding, “I am here under the assumption Declan has explained to you about what the model is.”
Bringing the meeting to a close, Dr Van Rensburg remarked, “I am very grateful you gave up your evening to come and tell me your feelings.”
Speaking to The Sligo Champion after the meeting concluded Cllr Michael Clarke suggested the planning permission that was granted could have been granted as a result of incorrect information.
“To call it a community led development when the community was never consulted pre-planning and that terminology was used to get the planning and the community here are absolutely 100% against the plan and against the model. It was a misconception from day one.”
Cllr Clarke added: “Declan Collins was at a meeting three months ago but he has never engaged with the community and the community here would have no confidence in his ability to communicate the information that is required by the local community. He hasn’t spoken to anyone. He has never engaged with them.”
Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.