Consultation with locals is key for successful windfarm development
People Farrell/rollingnews Side The Be Ie Local Planning Developers Windfarms Should On Priority Eamonn Of First Getting Picture:
Given the history of local opposition to windfarms in Ireland, often arising from a lack of consultation with people in affected communities, a new study confirms what many observers have long felt.
Put simply: getting local people on-side should be the first priority of developers planning windfarms.
The Co-Wind research project, led by Dr Bernadette Power, of University College Cork’s Department of Economics, found that early and meaningful engagement at the pre-planning stage, compensation to near-neighbours, and the development of community amenities, increase the likelihood of acceptance of new windfarms.
And, as developers expect to make a profit from generating wind energy, communities should also be given a monetary stake in and co-ownership of windfarms: a sweetener, if you like, to improve the chances of acceptance.
“This (research) offers a roadmap for fostering a ‘social license’ for the construction, ownership, and operation of wind energy projects in communities across Ireland, reinforcing the importance of community involvement and understanding in the renewable energy sector,’’ said Dr Power.
Engagement with the community and near-neighbours — whose concerns could include the visual impact of turbines, noise and property devaluation — is key.
There are now 400 onshore windfarms in the country. There have been well-documented cases relating to nuisance and disturbance to neighbours from some, and landslips, which developers need to learn from.
Also, there are plenty of stories about divided communities, where some people gain and others lose out. A landowner who is paid by a wind farm developer could, for instance, become a pariah with some neighbours.
As in all worldly matters, money talks. The research found that direct payments to people nearby and a community benefit fund for green and sustainable initiatives had the most substantial impact on general acceptance.
However, non-financial community benefits, such as backing for local amenities, play a significant role in windfarm community acceptance, the study noted.
Separately, a survey by Interactions Research for Wind Energy has shown opposition is reducing, with 58% support for windfarms in earmarked areas. Cheaper electricity is cited as the main benefit by 43% of respondents.
At present, 42% of electricity in Ireland comes from renewable sources, with 86% of that from wind.
Ideally, all our energy should come from such sources. That possibility is there, but it calls for large-scale development of offshore windfarms to capitalise on stronger, more consistent wind conditions at sea.
There’s a very long way to go, nevertheless. We currently have one major offshore windfarm at Arklow Bank, off County Wicklow. Many more are in the pipeline, but developers are blaming the planning process for long delays in getting the green light for projects, with higher costs also an issue.