October 30, 2003
Landslides III
TG4 had a report on the proposed windfarm in Bellacorrick. The locals are not too happy about the size of the farm (200 hundred turbines in all). Typically, the windfarm's supporters portray them as Luddites, standing in the way of progress. But, as one resident explained, she could handle even 100 turbines spread over the same area. It's the density of the farm that is causing disquiet (this farm will be the biggest on-shore farm in Europe). And for all it's size, it will only employ 20 people full-time when it becomes operational; not nearly enough to replace the jobs lost when the milled-peat power station closes shortly.
The windfarm is located near Pollatomish (about 10 miles away) where there was a landslide last month. An Bord Pleanala denied planning permission to build an onshore terminal for the planned natural gas off the Mayo coast. The reason? Danger of peat slippage due to to the excavation works. The verdict seemed risible at the time (to some at least), but subsequent events have vindicated them. The huge excavation required for the windfarm could have dramatic effects on the bogland around Bellacorrick.
How dramatic ? Well, in Derrybrien, the flow of peat down a hillside near the construction site of another windfarm has worsened. Yesterday, the peat began flowing again (no doubt the rain was a factor), overwhelmed the emergency barrier built last week and has covered the road leading from the village to the windfarm site. Tonight, the slide has continued another 300 metres and has now covered the main Portumna to Gort road (R353) with up to a metre of peat. ESB International (who own the windfarm site) will begin an emergency escavation tomorrow - mind you, they did the same last week, to no effect. Vincent Browne's radio show is on in the background as I write this, and he is devoting a segment to the Derrybrien landslide. You can hear/download it here.
Posted by Monasette at October 30, 2003 10:04 PM