Frequently Asked Questions
Natural Forces would like to partner with communities across Ireland to develop renewable energy generation projects. Below are answers to some of our most frequently-asked questions.
As a company, Natural Forces has developed a number of wind and solar projects with communities in Canada. Our staff have worked on wind projects in Ireland and across Europe.
For more information on our Canadian projects, visit: www.naturalforces.ca.
Are wind turbines noisy?
Since wind turbines are large mechanical equipment, they can be expected to produce noise. However, as wind turbine technology has evolved, the sound emitted by wind turbines has decreased, In current designs the mechanical noise is almost obsolete, resulting in only the interaction of the air and the turbine parts producing noise. This noise decreases as the radial distance from the turbine increases. To relate this, the compressor of a refrigerator produces 40-45 dB of noise.
No. There is no evidence to support any claims of negative health impacts. According to the European Wind Energy Association, there is no evidence that audible or non-audible noise causes any adverse impacts to health.
Wind turbines can carry on generating electricity for 20-25 years. Over their lifetime they will be running continuously for as much as 120,000 hours.
Natural Forces Ireland is committed to insuring impacts to the enivronment are as minimal as possible. Non-polluting projects like wind projects are safer for wildlife and the local environment, and reducing CO2 emissions is overall better for the environment.
Wind farms are always subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment to ensure that their potential effect on the immediate surroundings, including fauna and flora, are carefully considered before construction is allowed to start. Deaths from birds flying into wind turbines represent only a tiny fraction of those caused by other human-related sources such as vehicles and buildings.
Natural Forces Ireland is committed to keeping stakeholders current on projects in their communities. For information on a project near you, or to join our mailing list, please email info@naturalforces.ie.
Benefits to the Community
There are many benefits to community who develop a renewable energy generator, these include:
A Community Benefit Fund will be established which sets out that €2 per MWh of generation will go to the fund which will be managed by the REC. This funds can be used by the community over the 15 years of the RESS contract to further the community.
A Good Practice Principles Handbook will be published by the Minister (or a nominated body) prior to 1 July 2021. This will lay out a range of principles, including the need to ensure community participation in fund decision-making via the establishment of a local committee, which should encourage successful dispersal of funds.
Wind energy projects provide many economic benefits to communities including jobs during construction, a new source of revenue for farmers, an increased local tax base and can also create wind energy tourism.
In locations where tourism is an important part of the local economy, a wind farm may be perceived as an enhancement to tourism for those interested in the technology. There is also an opportunity for the community to build awareness and education around clean energy and capitalize on a “green” identity.
Locally owned community wind projects create even more of an economic opportunity for those involved than conventional wind farms owned by companies with limited local ties. Community wind projects have a greater impact in terms of economic benefits because of two key factors: the local ownership and project profits remaining local.
Providing the opportunity for local people to invest in the energy projects will ensure that the profits of the energy project are spent in the local area. For those members of the community who would like to invest financially in the project, they will have the opportunity to do this and be one of first to know of the investment opportunity. Having local investment will ensure that the financial benefits from the generation project will be recycled within the community- time and time again.