The noise limit on wind turbines could become “more stringent” in the future, following a recent review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.

The former Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, announced details of a proposed future approach towards wind farm developments.

Following detailed engagement between the two departments, a preferred draft approach towards Wind Energy Development Guidelines was finalised, Minister Coveney said.

Coveney – who is now the Minister for Foreign Affairs – felt the approach struck the right balance between facilitating future wind energy projects, while also addressing the “genuine concerns” of local communities in the areas where wind farm developments are proposed.

Key proposals

The key aspects of the proposed approach include the application of a more stringent noise limit, consistent with World Health Organisation standards.

It is hoped this will be introduced in tandem with a new noise monitoring regime, to ensure compliance with noise standards.

A visual amenity setback of four times the turbine height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property, subject to a mandatory minimum distance of 500m, has also been proposed.

The proposed approach provides for the elimination of shadow flicker through technology and appropriate modelling at design stage.

New obligations in relation to engagement with local communities by wind farm developers, along with the provision of community benefit measures would also be introduced.

From a visual amenity aspect, it is proposed that connections from wind farms to the national electricity grid will – except where ground conditions prevent it – in the future be underground.

The revised guidelines will be required to undergo a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The SEA process aims to ensure that environmental considerations are fully integrated in the preparation of plans and programmes, which provide a framework for development consent or planning permission.

Alongside the SEA process, public consultation will also be required before the proposed guidelines can be finalised. Minister Coveney believed that the guidelines would be issued to planning authorities in the early part of next year.