Windfarms could be built in scenic areas under new Government proposals to reduce Ireland's need for "dirty fossil fuels".
Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, today published draft proposals advocating a system which will require planning authorities to identify areas where there is significant wind energy potential.
Under the proposals, the authorities would be favourably disposed to granting planning permission in those areas, subject to the siting and design criteria contained in agreed guidelines.
Speaking in Carnsore, Co Wexford, the Minister said: "Ireland has a very challenging national climate change target. We must reduce our dependency on oil to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. My colleague, Minister Dermot Ahern has rightly emphasised the need for Ireland to look elsewhere for energy needs, thereby increasing the security of our energy supply.
"I believe central to achieving this will be ensuring the planning system looks favourably on wind farms. These draft wind energy planning guidelines will help in the delivery of more wind energy in a manner that protects the environment and balances the needs of local communities."
Mr Cullen said achieving a wind energy level of 13 per cent of total energy needs by 2010 would "bolster the Government's national climate change strategy" and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.
He said there had been a perception that designating an area for natural heritage reasons or due to the presence of rare birds will prevent any windfarm developments proposals going ahead there.
"These impacts can be mitigated by prospective applicants and planning authorities working together and agreeing on measures to avoid or minimise potential adverse effects, he said.
"A carefully designed windfarm would not have those adverse effects."
The draft Planning Guidelines on Wind Energy Development are being issued for an eight-week public consultation period. All submissions submitted before 30 September, 2004 will be considered before a final version of the guidelines is issued.