Wind farms to deliver nearly €2 million in rates to the council

Wind farms in County Roscommon will pay just under €2 million in rates to Roscommon County Council this year, according to data compiled on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland (WEI).

The planning proposals for wind turbines are often very controversial, and have been met with significant opposition in the county.

The research found that wind farms will contribute nearly 14% of all commercial rates paid in the county this year, enough to cover over 60 percent of the council's annual local contribution towards water supply across the county. 

In 2024, the last full year reported, Roscommon wind farms contributed over €193,059 to various projects in their locality, a statement from WEI said.

David Halpin, whose company Halpin’s compiled the data for Wind Energy Ireland, said the contribution of the wind sector to local councils could not be understated.

“Outside of major urban areas, wind projects are often the largest single contributors to their county,” he said.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said County Roscommon was showing the real benefits that renewable energy is bringing to Rural Ireland.

In April, when wind energy made up almost 40 per cent of the country’s electricity supply, the wholesale electricity price on the windiest day was almost half the price on the days when we were forced to rely on imported fossil fuels, WEI said.

Mr Cunniffe added the best way to bring bills down was to generate more affordable, clean energy here at home from renewable sources like wind and solar, “while making sure counties like Roscommon continue to benefit from the investment and economic activity that renewable energy projects bring”.

County Roscommon currently has the capacity to generate 96 MW of wind energy, representing 1.5 per cent of Ireland's total wind generation capacity, WEI said, adding that nationally, wind farms will provide almost €75 million in commercial rates.