The rate per megawatt that wind energy companies in Mayo are paying in Community Benefit Fund (CBF) contributions is not adequate and needs to be increased. That’s the view of Castlebar based councillor Harry Barrett.
A Community Benefit Fund is a commitment by a developer to put money into a fund which is then made available to community projects.
At the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, earlier this week, Councillor Barrett proposed that Mayo County Council go directly to the wind energy companies located in the county and re-negotiate a higher Community Benefit Fund rate. The Independent councillor’s motion was agreed, unopposed.
The amount being paid at present by the energy companies, he described as “the minimum contribution” under legislation. It’s a rate of 2 euro per megawatt of energy produced, but he says that is not index linked and has remained the same for the past twenty years.
He argued that it’s unfair that while voluntary organisations like Meals on Wheels are being forced to tighten their belts on the vital services they provide, due to the rising costs of electricity and food, wind energy producers are increasing their profits exporting Mayo’s natural resources out of the county.
Councillor Barrett spoke to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about why he insists the community benefit fund rate is not enough…
