Speaking following the news that the wind farm portfolio owned by Bord Gáis Éireann is to be sold to Canadian based Brookfield Renewable Power, Deputy Colreavy said: "The sale of wind projects developed by Bord Gáis Éireann, which amounts to approximately 15% of the wind capacity from the island of Ireland, to a foreign multinational is a regressive step.
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"Sinn Féin has maintained that we are committed to renewable energy, but it must be led by semi-state companies such as the ESB and Bord na Mona.
"The privatisation agenda being pushed by this government has resulted in the loss of this wind portfolio, which is a strategic asset in the production of energy in Ireland.
"Sinn Féin recently introduced the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill in the Dáil. This bill imposes minimum setback distances for wind turbine developments, and also regulates the export of energy from renewable sources developed in Ireland.
"The sale of this portfolio will not help Ireland's energy security. A significant portion of Ireland’s wind energy capacity is now in private hands, and can be used as it sees fit by Brookfield Renewable Power."
(CD)
