Growing concerns over proposed Mayo Abbey wind turbines 'taller than Statue of Liberty'

Mayo TD Paul Lawless has addressed a meeting in Mayo Abbey where locals have raised concerns over a proposed wind farm in the area .

He outlined: "A planning application has been submitted to Mayo County Council by Cunlaghfadda Green Energy Limited, seeking to construct seven wind turbines each one 160 meters in height in the Mayo Abbey region.

"The window for submitting planning objections is far too small - with locals having to organise their opposition to the project by June 23.

"These proposed turbines are absolutely massive. They are taller in height than the Statue of Liberty, taller than the Spire in Dublin and Big Ben in London.

"Local people are rightly concerned about the devaluation of their property, the restrictions these turbines may place on their ability to build homes in the area, and the environmental risks associated with the construction phase and the power sub station which would form part of the development".

Deputy Lawless continued: "What's happening now in Ireland is that the government is hugely supportive of data centres, which are guzzling electricity. In 2024 data centres used 22% of all electricity in Ireland.

"That was more than all urban homes combined. Data centres are also paying significantly less than ordinary households for their electricity.

"These data centres are largely located in the east of the country, while the west is being bombarded with wind farms in order to feed electricity to the east. This is not fair.

"Nobody wants to live next to an enormous wind turbine therefore if a local person owns a site next to the proposed development, they are worried about a significant reduction in the value of their site if the development goes ahead in Mayo Abbey.

"I've raised the issue with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste many times in the Dáil. The guidelines currently governing the construction of turbines are about 20 years out of date.

"Back in 2006 wind turbines were much smaller. I've been pushing for new guidelines to try to ensure that turbines must be a set distance away from houses, proportional to their height.

"Unfortunately the government voted against new guidelines which were brought to the Dáil by the opposition just before Christmas.

"I will be launching an objection to Mayo County Council over the Mayo Abbey proposal and would encourage other politicians and residents in the area to do so too."