A wind energy development co-operative in Co Clare has announced plans to construct one of Ireland's largest wind farms.

Subsequent to obtaining planning approval and permission for grid connection, West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd. (WCRE) says it hopes to construct 30 3MW wind turbines on the slopes of Mount Callan, a 391-metre high mountain located between Ennis and Miltown Malbay.

The company claims the proposed €200m project would be capable of generating enough electricity to power every home and business in Co Clare, as well as meeting the Limerick Clare Energy Agency’s 2010 targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy production.

It is expected to create around 300 jobs during the construction phase.

WCRE is comprised of renewable energy firm West Clare Renewables and 30 farm families who collectively own 3,000 acres of primarily upland properties on Mount Callan.

Company chairman and Clare-based entrepreneur Padraig Howard said Mount Callan offered the perfect combination of wind resource, transmission lines and available land for wind farms.

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He pointed out Clare is also the only county on the Western seaboard of Ireland with the existing electricity grid capacity to accommodate the additional renewable energy power.

According to Mr Howard: "The concept of developing a wind farm on Mount Callan has been investigated by local landowners for over 15 years in order to supplement farm incomes and retain the next generation on the land.

"In the last two years a new co-operative model, developed in partnership with West Clare Renewables, was assessed independently by the farming families' own wind energy expert."

He said the model has been worked on and adopted by the 30 local landowners, and has subsequently been adopted by the Spirit of Ireland group.

Local landowner John Talty said the wind farm project would ensure the economic sustainability of the local community and wider economy for the next thirty years at least.

He said: "The project that is being progressed will present small landowners, who are struggling to secure an income from farming, with an alternative source of income that will sustain their livelihoods."

Pat Stephens, Manager of the Limerick Clare Energy Agency welcomed the WCRE announcement.

He said: "As potentially one of the country's largest wind farms the community-led project proposed for Mount Callan could, subject to planning approval, certainly help overall efforts to source more secure energy supplies, as well as meet the Government's targets for green energy."

Mr Stephens added: "This would create significant environmental benefits, sustainable employment, generate increased incomes for landowners and farmers, and result in reduced energy costs for consumers."

(PR/JM)