Coyle demands funding from wind farm developments

AN Erris-based councillor has claimed that people in his region will turn against the development of wind farms if they see no benefit from them in their daily lives.

The Erris and north Mayo region has become home to major wind farm developments including the 61 turbine Owenwinney wind farm while other major projects for the region are currently going through the planning process.

However, Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle lamented what he believes is the lack of return in investment into the region and pointed out the irony that despite the region creating so much energy, the rising cost of electricity has resulted in the closure of Belmullet's only indoor swimming pool.

Speaking at the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District meeting, Cllr Coyle said that local people would turn against renewable energy projects unless they see some advantage from them.

“The reality is it is windmill after windmill after windmill and plans for more windmills in Erris. We have provided things but we are not getting anything back and to tell you the truth it is a scandalous situation. What we are providing is a source for the whole country to use and not one single house in Erris is connected to gas and not one single house in Erris gets free electricity from all the windmills that are built on the side of mountains.

“It has turned people off this renewable thing because we seem to be providing the energy for every place apart from ourselves. How can it happen that the only heated swimming pool in Erris is closed at a hotel because of the extreme costs of running it while at the same time we are exporting electricity,” he told the meeting.

Cllr Coyle claimed that he had heard of potential budget cuts in the Belmullet office of Mayo County Council and asked how this would be allowed to happen given the amount of rates which are paid into Mayo County Council's finances from energy projects in Erris.

“There should be no scarcity of money in Belmullet. We are sending millions into the pot. Something needs to be done so that we get a fair share of the cake and I will make sure we will. I'm sorry the crumbs of the table are no good anymore, it is the slice of the cake we want,” he demanded.