Wind Energy Guidelines

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (404)

Willie Penrose

Question:

404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will amend the planning regulations to ensure that wind development companies which were seeking to install industrial style wind turbines across the midlands and elsewhere will have to put in place a significant index-linked bond to cover the costs of removing and decommissioning these turbines at the end of their life span; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42331/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to Section 7.19 of my Department’s Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 on ‘Decommissioning and Reinstatement ’.

Conditions requiring the lodgement of financial bonds have been used in the past to try to ensure that decommissioning will take place in a responsible manner. However, the use of long-term bonds to secure satisfactory reinstatement of the site upon cessation of the project puts an unreasonable burden on developers , given the long time span involved in wind energy developments , and is difficult to enforce. The recycling value of the turbine components, particularly copper and steel, should more than adequately cover the financial costs of the decommissioning. Accordingly, the use of a long-term bond is not recommended.

I do not propose to revisit this issue during the current targeted review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines , which is focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker.