Published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2009 5:38pm

Renewable energy could prove "wind fall" for Westmeath industry

by Olga Aughey

Comments (0) | Print | Email

A Mullingar man claims that Westmeath could supply enough energy from wind to heat and light each and every household and business in the county.

Paul O'Reilly and his partner Cormac Meaney spent the past year researching renewable energy and say there is no reason that Westmeath cannot produce as much wind energy as France and Germany.

"When you think Mullingar - Muillean gCearr is the town of the mill, which has been generating power from water for generations.

This is not new to us, it's just that we've forgotten it, and wind is another untapped energy source in the midlands," said Paul O'Reilly.

"Renewable energies are globally accepted as what's going to lead the world into the next era, but we noticed that the Irish Midlands are lacking big time by way of it's renewable energy," he continued.

"The focus has been on Ireland's West coast, because everybody says that's the best place for wind, and it is, but if you look at countries like Germany or France, our wind resource in the midlands is as good as their's. There's no point in us having wind turbines on the West coast and pumping energy to the Midlands, we need to make it ourselves," he stated

Paul went on to say that the key to producing wind energy in Westmeath was to have small businesses and even domestic households produce their own energy:

"You could in theory install a turbine at your home in Mullingar town, if your site was large enough, the average person could have one tomorrow morning if they wished," he said. "Everyone has an automatic installation rite with the ESB, you don't have to apply, you simply have to inform them and you are also given a free Smart Meter for the first 4000 applicants.

"The key is to have an exposed site to the west, slightly elevated without trees and obstructions, provided you are not in an area of high amenity.

Paul continued by saying that Westmeath needs to start upping its game with regard to renewable energy and becoming self-sustained:

"There's a tremendous industry in supplying turbines, in foundations, in construction of turbines, and in their maintenance. This industry could develop on the turn of a coin.

"The expertise are available, the turbines are available, the wind climate is there, but the economic climate is not.

The Government have to introduce the economic climate, it could be in place tomorrow morning and generating employment."

Paul finished by saying redundant Bord na Mona peat bogs would be perfectly suitable for wind farms:

"It wouldn't be a blight on the landscape, it would be a sign of clean eco-friendly technology. We may not match the West but we are perfectly capable of generating electricity in the Midlands."