The windfarm at Barna, near Scartaglen, Co Kerry. Planners outlined how the county has the highest number of wind turbines in the State. Photograph: Valerie O’SullivanThe Office of the Planning Regulator has told Kerry County Council it is out of step with national policy by “omitting” rather than permitting areas to open to wind energy projects in its draft development plan.
Planners outlined how the county has the highest number of wind turbines in the State and produces more wind per square metre than any other county and some countries. The proposed “approach to wind energy” in Kerry was contrary to national wind energy development guidelines for local authorities as well as to national targets for renewable energy under the Climate Action Plan 2021, the regulator said.