Common Queries
We know local residents will have questions about the proposed wind farm development. The most frequently asked questions are answered below. If you require further information about the proposed wind farm development, please contact the project's Community Liaison or alternatively fill in the contact form found here and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQs
The existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines published in 2006 do not have a prescribed setback distance but do indicate that a 500m setback distance should be sufficient to prevent any significant noise impact arising from the operations of wind turbines.
The 2019 Draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines propose a “visual amenity setback of 4 times the turbine height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property, subject to a mandatory minimum distance of 500 metres”. The distance to the nearest house from a turbine will vary for each project depending on the various constraints applied to each design and the scale of the project. As turbine layout(s) are developed Bord na Móna will inform the local community through project specific information material of the setback distance for the project. However, it will never be less than 500m.
“Setback distance” is a term used to describe the distance between a residential property and the nearest turbine of a proposed development. The existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2006) do not have a prescribed setback distance. They instead rely on the noise limits outlined in the guidelines to determine the appropriate setback distance for each specific wind farm development.
The 2019 Draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines propose a mandatory minimum distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property and four times the tip height, whichever is greater.
Shadow flicker is an effect that only occurs at certain times of the year and under certain conditions. The rotating wind turbine blades may cast shadows over the windows of houses that are closest to the turbines. Generally residences further than 2km away from a turbine are not affected by this. The effect lasts only for a short period and happens only in certain specific combined circumstances such as when:
The sun is shining and is at a low angle (i.e. very early in the morning after sunrise or late in the evening before sunset) during the winter months; The turbine is located directly between the sun and the affected property; Wind direction (position of turbine blades): the turbine blades are facing directly toward or away from the sun; There is enough wind energy to ensure that the turbine blades are continually rotating.
Any obstacles such as trees or buildings located between a property and the wind turbine will reduce or eliminate the occurrence and/or intensity of the shadow flicker.
Modern wind turbines can be fitted with shadow flicker control units that allow a wind farm’s SCADA control system to turn the turbine off if necessary when shadow flicker is likely to be an issue at properties surrounding the wind farm. The strength of direct sunlight is measured by way of photo cells, and if the sunlight is of sufficient strength to cast a shadow, the shadow flicker control mechanisms come into effect. Wind speed and direction are measured by anemometers and wind vanes on each turbine and on the wind farm’s met mast, and if wind speed and direction is such that a shadow will be cast, the shadow flicker control mechanisms come into effect. Bord na Móna’s Mountlucas Wind Farm located in County Offaly, has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of turbine control software to automatically shut down a turbine during periods of likely occurrence of shadow flicker.
In order to reduce the visual impact a number of mitigating measures will be used:
- Use of matt, non-reflective finishes.
- All connecting cables underground.
- Colour harmony and screening of substations.