Bord na mna look at westmeath sites for windfarms

Bord na Móna have confirmed that they are exploring the possibility of developing an industrial windfarm on their lands in Westmeath.

Following the opening of their €115m windfarm in Mount Lucas last week, the semi-state body announced that they plan to develop seven windfarms over the next seven years. Bord na Móna own 80,000 hectares of peatland across the country, including some 5,500 Ha in Westmeath.

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner last week, a spokesperson from Bord na Móna said that it was “currently assessing all our land with a view to seeing what is suitable”.

In a county development plan submission made to Westmeath County Council in April 2012, Bord na Móna stated that it had identified peatlands in the Ballivor Group, Derrygreenagh Group and Boora Group as potential sites for windfarm development in the “medium to long-term” future.

“Cutaway peatlands can provide excellent sites for windfarms. In general terms, peatlands are flat and open with little or nothing to impede windflows. In addition the isolated location of many peatlands away from population clusters enhances their suitability,” the submission stated.

Cllr Andrew Duncan, spokesperson for the Lakelands Windfarm Information Group says Bord Na Móna should see whether the €115m investment in Mount Lucas windfarm is a success before “spending more money”.

“For me, you have to look at the financial aspect. Will it be financially viable? They should be looking long and hard at that before pushing on with more developments. They need to stand back to see if it will be successful.

“They are relatively new at this. It would be sensible to adopt a precautionary approach instead of ploughing ahead and spending taxpayers’ money.”

On the possibility of Bord na Móna developing a windfarm in Westmeath, Cllr Duncan questioned whether any of the tracts of land owned by the semi-state in the county would be large enough to sustain an economically viable number of turbines.