A proposed wind farm, which would power 8,000 homes on the borders of north Tipperary and Limerick, is causing a storm between locals and developers.
Ventus Energy Ltd plans to develop the six-turbine wind farm at Curraghafoil, Knockastanna, in east Limerick. Locals say it could have a detrimental impact on their environment and community.
Those opposed to the development plan to meet next week to form a community action group. Mr Nigel Barnes, the meeting organiser, is preparing to lodge an objection with Limerick County Council against the wind farm. "I have had a number of phone-calls in relation to this. There are petitions being signed, and we are holding a public meeting in a local community hall in Rearcross," he said.
The proposed site is close to the Tipperary (North Riding) border, the nearest village being Rear Cross.
The farm proposes to harness wind energy using six turbines, with a combined capacity of about 9MW.
Mr Glenn Starr, spokesman for Ventus Energy, said the Knockastanna wind farm would help the Government reach its target of supplying 500MW of renewable energy by 2005.
"As a clean source of electrical power, wind energy is increasing in popularity" he said. "In addition, it will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas released in Ireland. Ireland has signed up to the Kyoto Protocol, which is an international agreement to cut back on the emission of greenhouse gasses."
Mr Starr added that his company was confident the site was suitable for such a development and would not have a detrimental effect on the local environment or communities.