Appeal for Mayo town to benefit from 'wasted' wind farm energy

A Mayo elected representative wants Castlebar families included in a new scheme that will allow waste energy generated by local wind farms due to over production to be used up by residential properties.

"This will save them huge money on their water heating bills," stated Councillor Harry Barrett.

Councillor Barrett was speaking after discussing the issue with the CEO of Energycloud, a company that specialises in reusing waste wind energy.

He was informed that the company has already engaged with Mayo County Council on a small pilot scheme in the Ballina area and that, if successful, there would be a phase 2 after the summer.

Councillor Barrett is hopeful that Castlebar would be included in this phase.

"With electricity prices rising every month and with so many people in arrears it is an absolute scandal that up to 1/6 of a wind farm's production is just wasted.

"This company has the technology to allow this waste electricity to be sent directly to the immersion tank of a family home after the installation of some basic software.

"This is a brilliant concept and will save Castlebar families significant money on their water heating bills if we can get included in the next phase.

"I will be asking the Castlebar Municipal District to write to the CEO of Energycloud, Alan Wyley, to express an interest in being included in phase two.

"Waste electricity in an era of high inflation is totally unacceptable and I want families in Castlebar to take full benefit from this scheme that will allow us to tap into at least some of the wind energy that we generate in this county.

"If this is implemented you could have families waking up to a full tank of hot water generated from waste electricity in a regular basis," he added.