Location Identification
An area that centres around the Coole region of north Westmeath was identified as having the potential to accommodate wind energy. Many factors were taken into consideration when carrying out a feasibility test and these included:
- The capacity to achieve a suitable set back distances for the turbines to houses in the local area
- The impact that shadow flicker curtailment or the elimination of shadow flicker would have on the viability of the project
- How the existing environment and landscape could accommodate a wind energy project.
Another important aspect of this assessment was the potential for the renewable energy proposal to play a positive role in the future development of the local area. We would welcome feedback from people in the area on the potential opportunities that they would see and what the needs and wants of the local area are.
An assessment of the area around Coole in north county Westmeath identified an area that warranted consideration for a wind energy proposal. Some of the reasons that this area appeared to be suitable included the following:
- It is centers around an area of bogland
- It is possible to get increased separation distances between houses and turbines of 700m and over
- The type of landscape in the area would lend itself to accommodating wind energy
- There are no designated environmentally sensitive areas in the area under consideration
- Shadow Flicker can be eliminated
- Increased separation distances would reduce any additional noise levels that may be experienced
We recognise that many individuals have differing views of the appearance of wind turbines, ranging from those who like the appearance and feel that they represent a new and more sustainable future for our people, to those who dislike them and feel that they are undesirable in the landscape. Taking this on board, we have prepared photomontages of the proposed development which allows people to visualise how this proposal will look when developed.
