“This is wrong,” Mayo TD introduces bill for bigger separation between wind farms and homes

Mayo TD Paul Lawless has introduced legislation in the Dáil seeking stricter regulations on wind farm developments, including a requirement for turbines to be located at least ten times their own height from the nearest home.

Deputy Lawless introduced the Bill alongside Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, arguing that the proposed changes would have significant implications for a number of wind farm developments planned across Mayo.

Speaking after introducing the legislation, Deputy Lawless said plans had emerged in recent months for eight wind farms in the county.

“In recent months, plans have been revealed for eight wind farms across the county of Mayo. In recent years windfarms have been planned, proposed or developed across my constituency - Aghagower, Ballycastle, Bangor Erris, Geesala, Crossmolina and Mayo Abbey,” he said.

In Mayo Abbey, a proposal involves seven turbines, each measuring 160 metres in height. Deputy Lawless said the scale of the proposed structures raised concerns for nearby communities.

“In Mayo Abbey, the proposal consists of seven turbines, each 160 metres tall. These turbines would be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York or Big Ben in London,” Deputy Lawless said. “The blades measure 136 metres in diameter; laid flat on the ground, a single rotor would not fit within Croke Park.”

The Aontú TD said the proposed setback requirement would mean that a 160-metre turbine would have to be located at least 1.6 kilometres from the nearest house.

“This would mean in the case of Mayo Abbey, the turbines 160 meters tall would have to be 1.6 kilometres away from the nearest house. It would render the project impossible in Mayo Abbey,” he explained.

He told the Government Chief Whip that the legislation would make many proposed developments in Mayo “impossible in their current form”.

Concerns over energy policy and planning

Deputy Lawless also questioned the distribution of wind energy developments across the country, arguing that the west of Ireland was being targeted to supply electricity to the east, where large data centres are concentrated.

He cited figures showing that data centres accounted for 22% of Ireland’s electricity consumption in 2024, claiming that their demand was placing significant pressure on the national grid.

The Aontú TD also concerns about the cost of electricity for households and the arrangements under which wind energy operators can receive compensation when turbines are required to stop generating electricity because of grid constraints.

Deputy Lawless described these payments as a significant cost to the State and taxpayers.

“Because the grid is not able to handle the volume of electricity produced, on windy days the turbines have to be turned off. When they are turned off the companies are paid compensation by the State - with taxpayers money – for the electricity they are NOT producing. It is a cash cow for the companies,” he said.

The Bill also seeks to give local authorities a greater role in the planning process for wind farm developments.

Under the current arrangements, certain wind energy projects that meet the relevant thresholds can be classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development and apply directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála, rather than first seeking planning permission from the local authority.

“Our bill also wants to bring power back to the local authorities. Right now windfarms of a certain voltage or size are considered “Strategic Infrastructure Developments” and as such are allowed to apply straight to An Comisiún Pleanála without ever having to apply to the Council for planning permission. This is wrong,” he told the Dáil.

Deputy Lawless also criticised the Government for delays in publishing updated wind energy planning guidelines, saying the issue had remained unresolved for more than a decade.

The TD said the legislation would give Government representatives an opportunity to demonstrate their position by supporting the Bill and allowing it to progress through the Dáil.

The proposal seeks to address both the distance between wind turbines and homes and the planning process governing large-scale wind farm developments.