Renewable energy projects approved

One firm, TCI Renewables Ltd have been granted permission to erect a “60m high measurement mast” with a host of equipment, including eight anemometers, two wind vanes, one data logger, one photovoltaic panel and one pressure sensor at a patch of land north of the Bolea Road in Limavady.

Another firm, Gaelectric Developments have also been granted permission for the “retention of a temporary (twenty-four months) fifty-metre high wind monitoring pole” at land to the south east of the Bolea Road.

TCI Renewables is a leading independent renewable energy business that develops, builds and operates wind projects across the UK and North America. The company has a track record in developing both merchant wind projects for major clients and also medium to large scale green field sites often in partnership with landowners.

Gaelectric are another major firm, who have offices in the USA in locations such as Chicago, Illinois and Great Falls, Montana, with designs on the Roe Valley.

This is the latest development in a series of renewable energy projects in the Limavady Borough Council area over the course of the last few months. The area itself has already been utilised by renewable energy firms, with wind farms a common feature on the landscape.

Another firm have plans to construct a wind farm in the Myroe area, and although the plans have not yet been lodged with the Planning Service, a public information event was held as recently as March this year where the plans were outlined.

The Sentinel recently reported on the falling number of planning applications in Limavady, where the largest drop this year in the number of applications anywhere in Northern Ireland was recorded, although the number of applications for renewable energy projects is bucking that trend.

Wind energy projects in East Londonderry have been met with some degree of opposition by local people concerned at apparent health problems associated with large wind turbines, as well as the impact of the structures on the landscape and wildlife.