Fair recognition of Offaly's contribution to renewable energy development sought
John Clendennen calls on Wind Energy Ireland to ensure communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure receive a fair return for their contribution
FINE Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has called on Wind Energy Ireland to support a number of measures aimed at ensuring communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure receive a fair return for their contribution to Ireland's climate and energy ambitions.
Speaking last Wednesday (June 10th) at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery, Deputy Clendennen addressed representatives from Wind Energy Ireland. He highlighted Offaly's leadership in renewable energy development and outlined three key priorities for the sector moving forward.
“Offaly has almost become the energy capital of the country, moving from brown to green in recent years. Despite having just 2% of the land mass, we are one of the top producers of renewable energy. The recently opened Derrinlough Wind Farm; a 126 megawatt, €150 million development, includes a €12 million community benefit fund and multiples of that in commercial rates. We are seeing first hand the material difference that these developments can make.”
However, Deputy Clendennen cautioned that the transition must be fair to the communities hosting this critical infrastructure. During his contribution, he outlined three key asks of Wind Energy Ireland.
Deputy Clendennen's first request was for Wind Energy Ireland to support the development of regional renewable energy targets that recognise the significant contribution already made by counties such as Offaly.
"Counties that have embraced renewable energy development and delivered infrastructure over many years should not find themselves at a disadvantage because they acted early. Future regional targets must recognise the work already undertaken and ensure fairness across all regions."
Secondly, Deputy Clendennen highlighted the importance of respecting local authority spatial planning.
"Offaly County Council has taken a fair, trustworthy and conscientious approach to the development of its renewable energy strategy. Considerable work has been undertaken to identify suitable locations for development while balancing environmental, community and economic considerations. I encouraged Wind Energy Ireland to ensure its members adopt the same fair, trustworthy and conscientious approach by respecting these locally developed plans when considering future projects."
Finally, Deputy Clendennen called for the development of an onshore renewable energy industrial strategy to maximise economic opportunities arising from the sector.
"We are rightly discussing how offshore wind can support indigenous industry, supply chains and job creation. The same ambition should apply to onshore renewable energy. We need a dedicated strategy that supports investment, enterprise development, skills training and employment opportunities in counties that are helping to deliver Ireland's renewable energy future."
Furthermore, Deputy Clendennen highlighted the need for reform regarding the Community Benefit Fund model.
"I asked Wind Energy Ireland to support reforms that would allow Community Benefit Funds to do more than support small-scale local initiatives. These funds should continue to assist local community groups and near-neighbour schemes, but they should also have the flexibility to support larger transformational legacy projects that can deliver lasting benefits for communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure.
“The moral of the story here is that where you have counties doing heavy lifting and being ambitious, just don’t exploit it,” Clendennen concluded. “The renewable energy transition must deliver not only cleaner energy but stronger communities and sustainable economic opportunities, especially for counties like Offaly where significant energy development has already occurred."