Residents in a rural area near Carrick on Suir are being offered an annual payment to the community and the opportunity to purchase shares in a wind farm proposed for the locality.
DunoAir are planning to erect eight wind turbines near Ahenny – they would have a tip height of 126 metres which is higher than the Spire in Dublin.
There is already strong opposition to the plans – the Dutch company hope to locals involved in a “community turbine” by selling shares at €500 each.
Spokesman Pim de Ridder says this would be in addition to a financial contribution to the local community of €25,000 per year.
The Ahenny Action Group is opposed to the plans to develop the turbines on Coillte owned land at Carrigdoon Hill and Curraghdobbin Hill.
Spokesperson Gemma Carvosso says the proposed area for the project is a sensitive archaeological site and should not be touched.
In their initial contact with local residents DunoAir claimed that the project would provide much needed employment in the local community.
Labour Senator Denis Landy – who lives just a few kilometres from the proposed wind farm – claims this will not be the case. He says when he questioned the company they admitted there was no employment whatsoever for locals as the work was specialised.
Each of the eight turbines will cost €3 million to build and would produce 3 megawatts per turbine.
Senator Landy has also questioned the sense in erecting wind farms given that such turbines are being dismantled in other countries across Europe.
DunoAir are holding an open day in the Carrig Hotel in Carrick until 8 o’clock this evening with opponents to the wind farm are planning to protest outside between 6 and 7.
Genevieve Cody lives within 800 metres of one of the proposed turbine sites while another resident is just 500 metres away – she says locals just won’t accept the development.
