Wind farm developments have long split communities. Promises of wealth and prosperity by energy companies for locals in return for allowing large wind turbines be built on and around their lands have resulted in such divisions. Some landowners are benefiting greatly, while others oppose the need for these wind farms.

One such example is in north Meath, where Element Power, through its Greenwire project, is in the process of developing the €187m Elmeagh wind farm. Some 46 turbines are being planned to generate 120 megawatts (MW) of power.

The project is in the planning phase and, if Element is successful with the planning, construction will take place from next summer. It is expected that construction would take up to 18 months to complete.

Landowners who sign up to taking a turbine on their land will receive about €25,000 per annum for each turbine should the project reach fruition. There is also a bond policy in place to ensure the land will be returned to how it was at the end of the turbine’s life span.

The Irish Farmers Journal visited farmers, landowners and dwellers in the general catchment area of where the North Meath development is being planned for.

There was no problem in talking to those objecting the planned development, however, barring one person, who wishes to remain anonymous, who has accepted an offer of locating a turbine on his land, the Irish Farmers Journal could not convince anyone in favour of the development to go on the record.

Even talking to people in local shops, there is a reluctance to talk about the development.

This one farmer who we spoke to who is receiving a turbine said the decision is a purely a “financial” one. He said that he was not taking it to “disrupt or annoy” people but that he sees having a turbine on his land as a way of safeguarding the future of his farm.

However, there is a less than palatable undertone to some of the objections. We visited one farmer, who has signed up to having a turbine erected on his land, to allow him put his side of the story across.

There was no answer at the house or the yard and when we returned an hour later the gates into the house were locked.

As you approach his house and farm, the volume of anti-wind turbine posters is quite extraordinary. Within the space of a few hundred metres either side of the farmer’s yard and house, there are as many as 15 signs opposing the wind farms.

Signs read: “House prices in this area SLASHED by 50% all thanks to greedy landowners, our so-called neighbours.” Another sign reads: “No wind turbine here. Neighbours sell out for thirty pieces of silver. Our children will have no future here.”

Is it a case of nimbyism, not-in-my-backyard syndrome? Not so, according to Edward Kenny who has been vocal against the plans. He is a productive dairy farmer from the Fletcherstown area of Meath, right in the middle of where Element Power is planning and developing. He milks approximately 160 cows and supplies Lakeland Dairies.

Kenny questions the strategic need for a wind farm in the area. “We have seen recently that the ESB has questioned the need for so many turbines. There haven’t been any other developments in the area before, so it’s not like we have a pedigree for it. There has been little guidance from the wind companies or the Government as to why we are proceeding at the rate which we are at wind energy. There is a major knowledge gap there and that needs to be addressed before anything else can take place,” Kenny argued.

So is it a case of intimidation or scaremongering?

Vincent Ryan, who is a resident of Castletown, and an objector to the proposed development said some of the objectors are going too far.

“It’s not right what’s going on in some of the places. We’re all neighbours at the end of the day and while I’m totally opposed to having wind turbines go up, some people are getting dogs abuse,” he said.

However, Ryan is adamant that the whole process is dividing the community.

“The community is suffering, no doubt about it,” Ryan said. “Our local village is Castletown. It’s a beautiful village, it has been nominated for tidy town awards and there is a great sense of community here. But these turbines have changed all that. Neighbours aren’t talking to each other. One of the people who has accepted a turbine is one of my best friends from school; we grew up together. But we haven’t spoken as we’re seen to be on opposite sides. It’s civil war stuff,” Ryan added.

Vincent and his family are within 1km of a proposed turbine and therefore qualifies for a €5,000 payment from Element Power. He describes this as a “bribe” so that he will not object to the plans. For its part, Element said the payment is being offered to houses to help improve energy efficiencies.

Element Power development manager Kevin Hayes is overseeing the north Meath project.

He said: “The €5,000 payment is specifically aimed at helping family homes upgrade energy systems. It’s there to, essentially, make homes more energy efficient. It’s not a bribe or anything like it … It’s a community benefit fund which Element has put in place. Over 1,000 people attended our information meetings about the project … this was the best way we felt we could give back to the community in a sustainable way.”

Hayes said that the €5,000 fund is distributed in one tranche or over a two- or three-year period. He added that “nobody was being forced” to take the money and it was open to households within a 1km distance of a turbine.

Whether or not the planned north Meath development reaches fruition or not, there can be no doubt that the project has hurt the community. Neighbours are not talking to each other and tensions are high.

There is a major information gap. The majority of the objectors are basing their opposition to the development on what might happen. Opponents talk about the noise from turbines, potential show flicker concerns and other health issues.

It is also apparent that the local community do not understand why their community has been chosen; what is the strategic importance for wind turbines there? Element has held information meetings regarding both these issues but it clear the vast majority do not understand the plans.

What is the North Meath Wind Farm Limited?

The North Meath Wind Farm Limited is a company which was established in February of this year. It has four directors, all of whom are involved with Element Power. The four directors are: Tim Cowhig, who is CEO of Element, Michael Robert O’Neill, Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Donovan.

It is not unusual for a wind energy company to establish a new company for the purposes of managing a wind farm.

Some 1,300 hectares has been put in for planning for 46 turbines to be located largely in the Wilkinstown, Castletown, Fletcherstown, Lobinstown areas of Meath. In the region of 90 landowners have signed option agreements with

Two separate companies, American-based multinational General Electric and EFS European Holdco have had 50 shares allotted to each of them.

Does the country need more wind turbines?

Last month, the Irish Farmers Journal exclusively reported that the body which owns the national power grid, the ESB, was calling into question the need for a major ramp up in wind farm development.

The Republic of Ireland currently has 182 wind farms, but there is a total of 180 wind farms currently in either planning or development phases.

The country’s wind farms generate over 2,200MW. The ESB estimates that Ireland needs just over 1,000MW more to meet demand. This forecast means that most of the planned 182 wind farms are unnecessary.

“An assessment of the most recent forecasts suggests that only 3,500MW of wind energy will be required to meet this mandate ... our analysis points to the need to reassess the timing and scope of the overall programme,” the state body said.