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04 Oct 2025

Sinn Féin introduce new bill to deal with the construction of windfarms in Kildare

Windfarm

Reporter:

Patrick Ward

12 Aug 2016 5:45 PM

A new bill regarding the future of windfarms in Kildare has been introduced to the Dáil by Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley. The bill was introduced to help regulate the construction of windfarms in the midlands and will give greater clarity to locals who have previously raised their concerns over wind turbines being erected in their area.
"This Bill will regulate the development of wind farms through providing limits on the exportation of electricity generated from them; protecting rural dwellers from noise and shadow flicker by having minimum setback distances from dwellings and ensuring a public consultation process for any developments. Crucially, this Bill sets out that turbines can only be located on areas zoned by local councillors," said Deputy Stanley.
A lot of opposition has been generated around wind turbines due to the sheer size of them. Wind turbines in the midlands can reach heights of up to 170 meters. Developers claim that to be effective in low-land areas they have to be of such a scale.
The new bill means that windfarms can only be established in areas that are specifically zoned to allow such developments, while the decisions of local councillors can not be overruled at national level if they have either given the green light to a windfarm or rejected such a development.  
 "It will also ensure that any renewable energy produced by wind turbines should firstly be directed towards meeting local and national energy needs and only the surplus should be exported."
 "In many other European countries there is a strong element of local and community part ownership of wind farms and wind turbines. The opposite has been the case in Ireland as nearly all developments to date are controlled by large companies and speculators. Under the provisions of our Bill, members of the local community would have to be given the opportunity, if they so wish, to purchase up to a 20% share in the development and then receive a dividend throughout the lifetime of the wind farm. This is more in keeping with the European norm."
Deputy Stanley concluded;
"While we need to move towards generating more and more energy from renewable sources, residents, our landscape and rural Ireland must also be protected and that's what this Bill sets out to do."

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