LOCAL BENEFITS
At each project RES designs, constructs and operates, our goal is to ensure that we create significant environmental, economic and community benefits at the local and global scale.
Economic Benefits:
The construction and operation of our wind farms have a positive effect on the economy. Short to medium-term jobs will be created during the construction period (usually around a year) and we will be looking for local and regional businesses that can provide the following people, services and materials: civil engineering, haulage, concreting, and electrical skills, etc. There will be additional benefits to other businesses in the area, such as hoteliers.
RES has a track record of using local contractors, this ensures commercial benefits are realised locally and it would be RES' intention to continue this policy at Murley Wind Farm. For example, during the construction of Gruig Wind Farm in County Antrim, over £1 million was spent on local materials, services and employment.
Social Benefits:
Our operating wind farms attract interest from locals and visitors alike and are a useful educational resource, assisting in raising awareness of climate change and clean energy solutions among the local and wider community. In particular, RES engages with schools and young people, civic organisations and professional groups to help raise awareness of the role renewable energy plays in tackling climate change.
RES offer educational opportunities for young people of all ages through its School Visit Programme. The visits are aimed at improving student awareness of sustainable energy and renewable energy technologies in line with curriculum requirements.
The visits are designed to integrate sustainable development into education and help pupils develop an understanding of the challenges, impacts and responsibilities of making lifestyle choices that reduce our environmental impact.
St Scire's School Visit to Lendrum's Bridge Wind Farm, near Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone (2013).
Environmental Benefits:
Unlike other forms of power generation, wind energy is clean and renewable. It is "clean" because its operation does not produce any carbon dioxide, the largest contributor to global warming. Its operation does not produce harmful emissions or any hazardous waste. It does not deplete natural resources, nor does it cause environmental damage through resource extraction, transport and waste management. By contrast, power stations burning fossil fuels, mainly coal and gas, are responsible for a quarter of the increase in greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere. It's "renewable" because its fuel source is the wind - freely available and constantly renewed.