LOCAL IMPACT

Proposal

The proposed 3MW turbines are 125m high with a blade span nearly twice the wing span of a 747 jet. They will be visible from a huge swathe of Clare and South Galway and rise higher than any natural feature of the landscape.

Experience in other locations shows that once turbines are permitted in an area, more follow. The only real constraint becomes the availability of an ESB grid connection. Indeed, another large project has already been proposed adjacent to the Loughaun North site (once again on Coillte owned land).

Jobs

In the best case some temporary local employment will be provided during construction. However SWS acknowledge how short-term this is. With respect to the Booltiagh windfarm in South Clare, they state "As is common with wind farm developments, the preparation work ran for years, while the construction phase took only months".

Property

Giant turbines, pylons etc are negative for site and house valuations. Few people move to an area for views of turbines. When economic recovery comes, landowners may find that site values do not recover. Rural areas unaffected by turbines will fare better.

Tourism

The Tourism Industry is critical to Ireland. It was worth €6Bn in 2008, four times the value of Irish beef exports. Scenic areas unaffected by turbines will be in a far better position to benefit from tourism in the long-term.

Factors such as property and tourism can be the difference between long-term prosperity and long-term economic decline of a rural area.

SWS and Coillte will walk away with large profits paid for by electricity consumers. But local residents will pay the highest price for "free money from the wind".