The Taoiseach has warned rural communities of “challenging decisions” around renewable energy projects as Rural Affairs Minister, Dara Calleary, seeks to increase community funding from energy developments.
Michael Martin said there will be “challenging decisions and choices to be made in communities up and down the country” as renewable energy projects, including wind farms, become more prevalent.
Speaking at the launch of the Government’s latest strategy on development of rural Ireland Mr Martin said that €18bn is due to be invested in the electricity grid in the next five years and said the war in Iran shows “we need more renewable energy”.
“These would be challenging issues, but we can’t have ourselves as vulnerable as we currently are, every decade, there’s crisis, and it’s linked to fossil fuels.
“We need informed local conversations to weigh up the pros and cons, yes, but clearly having clarity about what the end objective is in terms of the country,” he added.
Minister Calleary said that strengthening power delivery “is going to involve difficult decisions” but that this will happen under planning regulations which the Government is currently devising around onshore wind energy.
“There will be a role for community input, but it will all be done through a planning system.
“To strengthen our grid, to maximise the opportunities that are there from both onshore and offshore wind energy, will require changes,” Minister Calleary said.
Mr Calleary also said he wants to see renewable energy projects give more money back to local communities.
Currently, Community Benefit Funds are financed by mandatory financial contributions made by renewable energy projects supported by the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
It funds local initiatives and payments to households close to the wind or solar farm. It’s currently set at €2 a megawatt hour and are maintained for 15 years.
Minister Calleary said he would like to see these mandatory contributions increased.
“I would like to see those funds being bigger. Frankly, I think the various operators that are in this space can offer more for community facilities,” he said.
SEAI data shows that the Community Benefit Fund for the Oweninny Power Onshore Wind Project in Mayo is between €500,000 and €1m.
In Offaly the Cloncreen Wind Farm project gives between €300,000 to €400,000 to the local commmunity, and the Yellow River Wind Farm provides up to €1m.