Ministerial guidelines
Wind Energy Development Guidelines
Siting, design, noise and shadow flicker for wind farms. A revised draft was published for consultation in 2019.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government · June 2006 · 119 pages
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- 5 Planning Guidelines 1.2.8 Convention on Biological Diversity and National Biodiversity Plan (2002) The National Biodiversity Plan 2002 was prepared in response to Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This plan “pays special attention to the need for the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into all relevant sectors. The full and effective integration of biodiversity concerns into the development and implementation of other policies legislation and programmes is of crucial importance if the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is to be achieved”. 1.2.9 Making Ireland's Development Sustainable (2002) Making Ireland's Development Sustainable was produced by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002. The report examines progress made in the ten years since the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, assesses the challenge we now face, and sets out policies and actions to meet that challenge. It concludes that a high quality environment is essential for economic progress and for sustainable development generally.
- 6 lanning Guidelines Chapter 2 Technology and Wind Energy Development 2.1 Technology Wind turbines are used to convert the wind’s kinetic energy to electricity. Wind energy proposals may be for single turbines or for groupings of turbines (wind energy development). Planning authorities should be aware that wind turbine technology is continually changing. A wind turbine will generally include the following elements(see diagram 2.2) Fig 2.2 Tower: (A) Currently may vary in height from 35 metres upwards. Tubular steel towers typically have a base diameter of 3-7 metres and display a slight tapering to the nacelle. Larger towers may require a larger base diameter. C B A D
- 7 Planning Guidelines Nacelle: (B) This contains the key mechanical components of the wind turbine including the gearbox and generator. A yaw mechanism is employed to turn the nacelle so that the rotor blades face the prevailing wind. Blades: (C) The blades, which capture and are set in motion by the wind, are most commonly made of glass reinforced plastic or wood epoxy but can be made of aluminium or steel. Modern turbines typically have three blades. These may vary in rotor diameter from 35 metres upwards. Transformer: (D) This is a device for changing the voltage of the alternating current. Electricity is typically generated at less than 1000 volts by the wind turbine and the transformer “steps up” this voltage to match that of the national grid. This may be housed either inside or alongside the tower. Concrete foundation bases: Turbines typically have bases of between 7 and 18 metres square and a hardstanding area at the base of each turbine. A typical wind energy development may include the following elements: Wind turbines Wind monitoring mast Transformers Serving each turbine. Internal tracks Giving access to the turbines. Substation compound Including transformers, circuit breakers and control building Power cables Usually underground within the site. Poles/pylons Connecting wind energy development site to the national grid
- 8 lanning Guidelines 2.2 Size and Scale of Wind Turbines and Wind Farms Wind turbines can be deployed singly, in small groups or in larger numbers in wind energy developments. Various factors may influence the size of a wind energy development, including technical issues relating to the physical nature of the site, the wind resource and the capacity of the local transmission or distribution grid, as well as landscape and heritage considerations and development plan policies.
- 9 Planning Guidelines Chapter 3 Wind Energy and the Development Plan 3.1 Introduction It is important that all development plans incorporate both a statement of the planning authority’s policies and objectives in relation to wind energy development and matters it will take into account in assessing planning applications for specific wind energy development proposals. The development plan must achieve a reasonable balance between responding to overall Government Policy on renewable energy and enabling the wind energy resources of the planning authority’s area to be harnessed in a manner that is consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. The assessment of individual wind energy development proposals needs to be conducted within the context of a “plan-led” approach. This involves identifying areas considered suitable or unsuitable for wind energy development. These areas should then be set out in the development plan in order to provide clarity for developers, the planning authority, and the public. 3.2 Relevant National and Regional Policy Documents Important documents to be considered by planning authorities in the context of preparing and adopting strategic policies and objectives in relation to wind energy development in their development plans include all relevant Ministerial planning guidelines and guidance notes. 3.3 Consultation Planning authorities are required to consult appropriate bodies to ensure that development plan policies have regard to relevant
- 10lanning Guidelines considerations, policies and views (Section 11(3)(c) of Planning and Development Act, 2000). In the context of wind energy development, this will include the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in terms of the natural and built heritage, and electricity providers. In addition to the above, it is advisable to consult with Sustainable Energy Ireland, recreational and tourism bodies, and other heritage organisations as deemed appropriate. 3.4 Development Plan – Strategic Aims and Objectives Following consideration of the strategic context in regional and national terms for wind energy development, and also after full consultation with the appropriate bodies, the development plan should set out the following policies and objectives: • a positive and supportive statement of the importance of wind energy as a renewable energy source which can play a vital role in achieving national targets in relation to reductions in fossil fuel dependency and therefore greenhouse gas emissions, together with an objective to ensure the security of energy supply; • objectives to secure the maximum potential from the wind energy resources of the planning authority’s area commensurate with supporting development that is consistent with proper planning and sustainable development; • the identification on development plan maps of the key areas within the planning authority’s functional area where there is significant wind energy potential and where, subject to criteria such as design and landscape planning, natural heritage, environmental and amenity considerations, wind energy development will be acceptable in principle; • the specific criteria for wind energy development that the planning authority will take into account when considering any wind energy or related4 proposals in the key areas 4 These may include energy networks and temporary wind anemometers that measure wind potential.
- 11 Planning Guidelines identified, based on the recommended siting and design criteria referred to in these guidelines. Wind energy project developers, the public and other interested parties require a clear framework to indicate where wind energy development should locate, and what factors will be taken into consideration in dealing with such proposals; and • the investigation of the potential for relatively small-scale wind energy developments within urban and industrial areas, and for small community-based proposals outside the key areas that are identified as being appropriate for wind energy development. Community ownership of wind energy projects enables local communities to benefit directly from local wind energy resources being developed in their local areas, ensuring long-term income for rural communities. 3.5 Step-by-Step Guide to the Analysis of Suitable areas for Wind Energy by the Planning Authority In order to assist planning authorities to identify, on development plan maps, key areas where there are good wind energy resources capable of exploitation in a manner consistent with proper planning and sustainable development, a step-by-step approach is proposed. This ordered approach involves a sieve mapping analysis of the key environmental, landscape, technical and economic criteria which must be balanced in order to identify the most suitable location for wind energy development. In carrying out this exercise, it is advised to consult with neighbouring planning authorities to ensure a consistent approach across county boundaries. The methodology for this approach is outlined in the following paragraphs. Step 1 Assess the areas of wind potential ranging from areas with extensive wind energy resources to lesser wind resources using Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Wind Atlas for Ireland. The Wind Atlas for Ireland displays wind speeds at 50 metres, 75 metres and 100 metres above ground level. The three heights represent the hub heights of current
- 12lanning Guidelines and near-future wind turbine technology. Assistance in this regard can be obtained from Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Renewable Energy Information Office in Cork (tel: 023-42193, e-mail: [email protected]). Step 2 Prepare or utilise an evaluation of the landscape and its sensitivity for wind energy developments. Factors that can inform landscape sensitivity to wind energy development, include scenic quality, rarity, uniqueness and natural and cultural heritage considerations. (Some local authorities have prepared landscape characterisation maps, which could support this process). A methodology for landscape sensitivity mapping is outlined at Appendix 1. Step 3 Prepare an overlay of the landscape evaluation and sensitivity analysis, and sensitivity and wind energy mapping, together with information regarding built and natural heritage, archaeological and amenity designations in the Development Plan. This will identify those areas affected by statutory obligations and will facilitate optimising visual integration into the landscape while at the same time maximising the utilisation of wind energy resources. The process of overlaying wind energy mapping and landscape assessment with the development plan designations will produce a basis for identifying broadly, the areas where wind energy developments would be ‘acceptable in principle’, where they would be ‘open for consideration’, and where they would be ‘not normally permissible’. Step 4 Integrate the areas identified in step 3 with information regarding accessibility to electricity transmission and distribution grids. Details of the electricity transmission and distribution network are provided in Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Wind Atlas for Ireland. In addition, transmission network details are updated on a yearly basis in the Transmission System Operator’s Forecast Statement, available on the internet at www.eirgrid.com. If further network information is required, it is recommended that the planning authority consult with the Transmission System Operator (National Grid) or the Distribution System Operator (ESB Network) as appropriate.
- 13 Planning Guidelines This process will establish, at a general level, areas where wind energy resources are readily capable of development as well as identifying other areas where wind energy resources are capable of being developed but where there is a need for corresponding development of electricity grid infrastructure. Regional Planning Guidelines Many Regional Planning Guidelines propose coordination between planning authorities in relation to the development of renewable energy. The sieve analysis approach outlined above would assist regional authorities in developing a common framework within and between regions for the development of wind energy. 3.6 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Wind Energy Development There are particular benefits for planning authorities in using specialised Geographical Information Systems in wind energyrelated issues. There are three main areas, in particular, in which planning authorities are encouraged to develop Geographical Information Systems expertise, viz.: 3.6.1 Identification of Areas Geographical Information Systems can form an integral part of policy formulation. It is particularly useful when identifying the suitability of areas for the deployment of wind energy, given the amount of information and considerations involved in such an analysis. Many of the datasets required in an area-based analysis, such as wind speed information and nature and heritage designations, are now readily available in Geographical Information Systems format. 3.6.2 Assessment of Wind Energy Proposals Planning authorities, where possible, should utilise Geographical Information Systems software for in-house assessment and verification of wind energy proposals. The basic models used to assess wind energy development proposals, such as Zones of
- 14lanning Guidelines Visual Influence and Zones of Theoretical Visibility5 calculations, are now an increasingly standard feature of much Geographical Information Systems software, while integrated links to programmes producing wireframes and photomontages are commonplace. Due to the choice and availability of such proprietary software, these can now be obtained relatively easily and in a cost effective manner. 3.6.3 Monitoring of Wind Energy Development Planning authorities, where possible, should set up systems, incorporating a Geographical Information Systems component, to monitor wind energy development (including planning application decisions). This can help review the degree to which the policies and objectives of the development plan are being achieved. 3.7 Natural and Built Heritage and Wind Energy Development The designation of an area for protection of natural or built heritage or as an amenity area does not automatically preclude wind energy development. However, consideration of any wind energy development in or near these areas must be subject to Ireland’s obligations under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the EU (Birds) Directive (79/409/EEC) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. Clear guidance on policy and objectives should be available in development plans on the natural and built heritage, and the information contained therein on location and status should be accurate and up-to-date. 3.8 Amenity Designations The visibility of a proposed wind energy development from designated views or prospects would not automatically preclude 5 It is felt that the title ”Zone of Theoretical Visibility” is a more accurate description than “Zone of Visual Influence” – the maps produced are theoretical because they estimate exposure of turbines based upon landform data only and take no account whatsoever of intermittent screening by vegetation or structures. Furthermore, the maps estimate visibility of the turbines in the surrounding landscape and not their “visual influence”.
Source Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Wind Energy Development Guidelines (June 2006) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.