“Wind turbine opportunity: good or bad?

C

countryfarmer

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I’m seeking advice on where to start.

Recently, I inherited approximately 70 acres of agricultural land with a small farm and farmhouse, all leased for €15,000 annually for a ten-year term.
My agricultural adviser approached me regarding a drone survey conducted by an energy company interested in leasing the land.

According to the survey, they could install 6 to 8 wind turbines, with rates ranging from €25,000 to €40,000 per turbine per year. An engineer will need to draw up plans to assess the site to confirm the amount which will be forwarded in a written proposal. They will also cover all planning costs. I can still allow animals to graze on the land.

This opportunity seems almost too good to be true. I’m unsure where to begin. Should I hire a specialist solicitor or company to handle negotiations? Do I need tax specialists now? Has anyone dealt with energy companies or had a solar or wind farm on their land? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.”
 
depending on land quality the annual rent as agricultural could be double current rates. Have you a rent review?
 
Renting land for wind can be very profitable so definitely worth pursuing. Yes you need a good solicitor . I don’t think tax is complicated .

You are at an early stage. The developer would first want you to sign an option agreement, that would give them the right to lease. They wound need to carry out wind studies to determine suitability of site, get planning, grid access, financing and all other development activity. This generally takes years, especially in Ireland. They will not execute lease until they are ready to construct. Not trying to turn you off but highlight , it will take a long time.
 
you are at the development stage. Development is high risk , most projects do not proceed beyond this stage . If developer is successful in getting good wind studies, planning, grid connection etc , they regularly sell to a company who finances and constructs.
 
One thing to consider (if it matters to you) is the reaction of the local community. There will almost certainly be objections and are you prepared to deal with the fallout.
 
Yes you will be dealing with alot of local hostility obviously as they will be dealing with the consequences but only you will be benefitting financially from it. You are getting 15k now for an asset that just fell into your hands basically, if I was you I would be happy with that. As more and more farmland is gobbled up with these developments it makes existing untouched farmland more and more valuable
 
joe sod said:
You are getting 15k now for an asset that just fell into your hands basically, if I was you I would be happy with that
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From the OPs figures they could get between €150k and €300k a year and you think they should be happy with 15k/year?

I certainly wouldn't dismiss the opportunity out of hand.
 
Negative reaction from the local community may be overstated and SEAI surveys show significant acceptance/welcome for wind energy even in close proximity to turbines - however there may be individual hostility to development/change (that is part of life). I think there is also some community payback from turbines. In any case if it goes through the planning process these concerns can be played out and adjudicated on and in a broader/national community sense you would be playing a part in the provision of renewable energy (& energy security) - a national priority.
 
GingerH said:
Negative reaction from the local community may be overstated and SEAI surveys show significant acceptance/welcome for wind energy even in close proximity to turbines -
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That's completely false, drive around the country and you will see signs up saying

ballyhoo says no to wind turbines, protect your community, meeting in local hall Friday 8pm

Seai are an organisation that promotes wind energy, they are only going to publish positive feedback and not the negative feedback. If one of those giants appears close to your house, you can knock a whack off your house valuation.
The community payback is usuallylarge donations to local gaa clubs, but they are swimming in money anyway , people living close to these should also be receiving yearly payments not just the landowners
 
GingerH said:
Negative reaction from the local community may be overstated and SEAI surveys show significant acceptance/welcome for wind energy even in close proximity to turbines - however there may be individual hostility to development/change (that is part of life). I think there is also some community payback from turbines. In any case if it goes through the planning process these concerns can be played out and adjudicated on and in a broader/national community sense you would be playing a part in the provision of renewable energy (& energy security) - a national priority.
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That couldn't be further from the truth, there isn't a community in Ireland that want these anywhere near them. Recent High court ruling reinforces that
www.irishtimes.com

Wind farm noise constituted nuisance to nearby residents, High Court rules

The court’s decision is understood to have implications for the operation of wind turbines
www.irishtimes.com www.irishtimes.com
 
thedaddyman said:
That couldn't be further from the truth, there isn't a community in Ireland that want these anywhere near them. Recent High court ruling reinforces that
www.irishtimes.com

Wind farm noise constituted nuisance to nearby residents, High Court rules

The court’s decision is understood to have implications for the operation of wind turbines
www.irishtimes.com www.irishtimes.com
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There have been various polls of home owners over the last few years showing the opposite and even an improving trend, for example this from last year -

“The polling, which was carried out for Wind Energy Ireland by Interactions Research, also found that 58 per cent would support the development of a wind farm in their local area and support generally for wind energy among people living in rural Ireland was at 85 per cent. Both of these figures are the highest since the tracking poll began in 2018.”
 
I am very pro wind but would be skeptical of such polls. There is a lot of evidence of objection. Some is valid. Windfarms have been built in Ireland that are too near homes. You have the problem in Ireland where we have lots of one off houses in the countryside that it can be a problem. Scotland for example does not have the issue.
 
It can cause interference with tv and radio signals. A family member and their neighbours got their Sky paid for life but not sure who that was funded by.
 
I'd happily support w
Zenith63 said:
There have been various polls of home owners over the last few years showing the opposite and even an improving trend, for example this from last year -

“The polling, which was carried out for Wind Energy Ireland by Interactions Research, also found that 58 per cent would support the development of a wind farm in their local area and support generally for wind energy among people living in rural Ireland was at 85 per cent. Both of these figures are the highest since the tracking poll began in 2018.”
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I'd happily support wind power as long as it was quiet, didn't disturb my view, didn't interfere with my TV, broadband or mobile signal and didn't cause the bog/mountain etc to collapse or inadvertainly cause flooding.

If you ask the right question in a poll, you'll get the right answer
 
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