Seanad debates

Thursday, 6 November 2003

Adjournment Matters. - Derrybrien Wind Farm.

 

I understand that Hibernian Wind Power, the ESB subsidiary, met with the Derrybrien residents, as the two Senators have outlined, on Monday, 3 November, to discuss the recent landslide. The ESB is also co-operating with the regional fisheries authorities. I would emphasise that work has halted at the site, pending the outcome of the investigation into the issue. Work commenced in July this year on the 60 megawatt windfarm which comprises 71 proposed wind turbines, and associated access roads. Construction of some 90% of the site roads and 50% of the bases for the wind turbines had been completed when a land or bog slide occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, 16 October 2003, immediately south of the proposed location for turbine T68. The bog slide initially stopped some 2.45 kms downstream at an elevation of about 195 m on 19 October. This is immediately up slope of a minor rural road. The majority of the failed material is located on Coillte forestry lands, down slope of the windfarm site. However, the "toe", or bottom of the bog slide, has encompassed an unoccupied house on private land. Galway County Council took action and constructed a small dam.

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