Mayo wind energy operators urged to increase payments into community benefit funds

WIND energy operators in Mayo are being urged to increase the contributions they pay into community benefit funds.

Mayo County Council has been called on to enagage with wind operators to up the payment, which is currently set at €2 per megawatt hour.

The rate, says Councillor Harry Barrett, should be linked to inflation to ensure that the value of community benefit payments does not continue to erode over time.

Communities in Mayo are making a significant contribution in hosting renewable energy infrastructure and he believes that a fairer and more sustainable return to those communities is required.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the local authority, Councillor Barrett said energy companies are making a lot of money and rates haven't changed, with inflation having eaten into the community contributions.

There has to be a way of negotiating with these companies, he implored council management, and he asked that his motion be embedded in the renewable strategy for the county so there is fair distribution among communities. He asked for specific provision to be made to support for meals on wheels operations.

Councillor Barrett also pointed out that they didn't seem to know what amounts of energy are being produced as generation is self-reported. He would like to see more control about that.

The councillor was told that one windfarm operation has a fund of €90,000 for external areas and it was suggested that perhaps the board could look at helping meals on wheels through that.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme