Headford concerns over windfarm on Galway-Mayo border
Fears over impact on UNESCO Global Geopark
HEADFORD town would be approximately 3km away from the nearest wind turbine of a proposed windfarm in the Shrule and Glencorrib areas.
The Rooaunalaghta Green Energy Project is planned for the Galway-Mayo border close to Headford, principally in the South Mayo areas of Shrule, Glencorrib, Kilroe, Toorard and Moyne, a region that falls within the Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) UNESCO Global Geopark.
The JCWL UNESCO Global Geopark, which includes areas in South Mayo and North Galway, such as Headford, was awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status in April, becoming the fifth Global Geopark on the island in the process.
Rooaunalaghta Green Energy Limited are proposing to build up to 13 wind turbines. According to the website associated with the project, the maximum blade tip height of the wind turbines would be 150metres and the windfarm would provide a community benefit fund of more than €4.5million across the first 15 years of its lifespan.
The energy generated from windfarm would see an estimated annual reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 67,000 tonnes of CO2, and create direct and indirect jobs for more than 65 people.
The proposed area is currently deemed ‘open for consideration’ for wind energy developments in the Mayo County Development Plan 2022 to 2028. On Monday, Mayo County Councillors will vote on a draft renewable energy strategy that, if passed, would change the area’s classification to ‘unsuitable’ for such developments due to ecological, landscape and heritage considerations.
Locals representing people in Shrule, Kilroe and Glencorrib have set up the SKG group in response to the windfarm proposal.
Local group formed
“The way it is with the wind turbine locations, Headford would be quite exposed. People will hear them at night in Headford. We want to try and raise awareness so people can learn a bit about them,” said Don Langan, a local spokesperson with the SKG Group.
“Our number one concern is the UNESCO Global Geopark status that was awarded to the area a few months back. We want to protect this.
“The second concern is the potential health implications for people, in terms of sleep deprivation and everything else.
“It’s very important to say that we are not anti-wind or renewable energy. We are all for green energy, but it needs to be in the right place.
“You can’t stick it in the middle of a newly designated UNESCO site. How logical would it be to put a windfarm in the Burren or Cliffs of Moher in Clare, which is another UNESCO Global Geopark.”
A community meeting on the proposed Rooaunalaghta Green Energy Project was held in Glencorrib Community Hall yesterday (Tuesday) evening.