New data reveals rapid growth of Mayo's renewable energy industry
Mayo is the third biggest supplier of renewable energy in the country.
Mayo looks likely to see renewable energy projects that will deliver 1,132MW of power.
John McMyler, Senior Planner with Mayo County Council, delivered a presentation on the local authority’s draft renewable energy strategy at a meeting of the Planning and Corporate Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).
The council’s six-year County Development Plan had a target of 600MW. Mr McMyler said during the life span of the plan a number of other permissions were granted or are likely to progress which will see that target far exceeded.
Of the 1,132MW totalled, 800MW is wind, 57MW is solar, bio-energy is at 56MW and hydrogen is at 220MW. A hydrogen energy project has been permitted but nothing has been delivered. There is currently live applications outstanding for windfarms that will generate 200MW. There is also plans for battery storage facilities, including one in Westport that will be the biggest in the country.
“We are currently the third biggest supplier in the country, as regards renewable energy,” he said.
When the third phase of the Oweninny Wind Farm is completed, it will be the largest in the country.
“You can go down and see the difference between the original wind turbines (constructed at Oweninny in 1992) and the newer ones and the way the scale has changed. That’s one of the key learnings, they have got so much bigger,” said Mr McMyler, adding that newer turbines are double the size of what the county first saw.
“Wind is still the main game” in Mayo with clusters of projects in Bellacorick, Bonniconlon, Claremorris and Castlebar.
Mr McMyler said grid capacity remains an issue citing the example of Bellacorick which is contracted for 314MW but can only export 100MW currently. He said grid location and capacity has to feature in the new plan.
“We don’t want a situation where you are just granting blindly, and things aren’t happening.”
Catherine McConnell, Director of Services, said the larger scale of modern turbines means areas that were previously not deemed to be on high enough ground for wind farm projects can now be examined. She said the renewable energy sector is a significant boost to the council’s rates base.
An environmental assessment of the plan will be carried out by consultants before the draft plan comes before a full meeting of the council after Christmas.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
