1. Kerry has already made an enormous contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy targets. The Minister’s Draft Directive fails to take into account the cumulative effect of onshore wind energy developments already in situ in Kerry. Vast areas of Kerry are already saturated with wind farms, yet the directive is proposing to zone further areas of Mid Kerry, North Kerry and East Kerry regions in particular. These combined regions already contribute over 16% of Irelands Wind energy production.
2. Kerry’s land mass of 6.8% currently contributes 18%-22% of national onshore wind energy. For example, Kerry contributes approximately 609MW and Galway contributes 326MW (8.6% land mass), Clare 152MW (4.9% land mass), Limerick 199MW (3.9% land mass). Those three counties combined barely contribute (68MW (10%) in the difference) more than Kerry. The Minister must consider the impact and sacrifice already imposed on Kerry residents which is not being acknowledged by the Ministers Directive.
3. Kerry is already leading the way in European renewable energy production. If Kerry was included on a table of EU countries in an analysis of Megawatt production per square kilometer, it would rank in third place behind only Denmark and Germany. The Minister fails to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution Kerry has already made to National Renewable Energy targets in his Draft Directive.
4. The current enforceable wind energy guidelines (2006) are not fit for purpose and are completely outdated due the advances and development of the modern onshore industrial wind turbine, which can reach heights of over 200 metres. The deliberate and unnecessary delay of publishing suitable and appropriate wind energy guidelines is severely impacting on all communities.
5. The Ministers Draft Directive does not consider the crucial role and development of Biodiversity in Kerry. The draft directive does not offer protect or safeguard our native flora and fauna. Kerry is home to important, endangered, protected species including the Hen Harrier and the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, who’s habitats will be negatively impacted by the proposed zoning of large regions of East Kerry, Mid Kerry and North Kerry for further wind energy development. Large tracts of the regions proposed to be zoned for wind energy development include bog land which has proven to be an unsuitable location for wind turbine development.
We ask the Minister to acknowledge these very important concerns contained in this submission and to reconsider the draft directive given to Kerry County Council regarding its Draft Wind Energy policy for the upcoming Kerry County Development Plan 2022-28.