Most rural residents would support a local wind farm, claims Wind Energy Ireland

Just over half of those living in rural Ireland would support a wind farm being built in their area, according to a survey commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland.

The group, formerly the Irish Wind Energy Association, said it found that 82% of people were in favour of wind energy in general, with just 4% opposed.

The results of its survey indicated that 52% of people in rural Ireland would support a wind farm in their area, while 15% said they would be opposed.

Commenting on the findings, Wind Energy Ireland CEO, Dr David Connolly, said wind energy was "a clean, cheap and popular" source of power.

"Last year, we provided almost 40 per cent of Ireland's electricity demand and today’s poll shows support for wind energy is as strong as ever.

"It is clear the Irish people want to see more renewable energy to cut our CO2 emissions, to cut the price of electricity on the wholesale market and to create jobs at home instead of importing fossil fuels."

Dr Connolly added that Ireland "has some of the best wind resources" anywhere in the world.

"Alongside other renewable energy technologies, by 2030 we can be providing 70 per cent of our electricity if the right policies are put in place in the coming years.

"The Irish people back wind energy in overwhelming numbers and increasingly see the benefit for their own community," he stated.