Minister’s Solar Comments Highlight Need for Landowners to Proceed with Caution

IFA Renewables Project Team Chairman James Murphy has restated his call on landowners approached by solar development companies to think long and hard before advancing negotiations or signing further contracts.

“The recent statement by Energy Minister Denis Naughten that his Department is unlikely to provide any significant support for solar energy in the short term, raises significant concerns for the many farmers who have committed over 20,000 acres of land to solar energy contracts.”

James Murphy added, “Of even greater concern is the fact that landowners continue to be approached to sign contracts, with Government now indicating that it may be the middle of 2017 before there is any clarity on the level of tariff or the number of megawatts that will be supported by this tariff.”

The Renewables Chairman expressed disappointment at the failure of Minister Naughten to set out any plan regarding the role of communities in future renewable projects. He added, “It is absolutely essential that communities are adequately consulted and offered an opportunity to become stakeholders in the development of renewable projects in their localities. Government has a key role to play, whether through the tariff support mechanisms or planning policy”, he added.

James Murphy concluded by re-emphasising the need for farmers to get good independent legal advice before signing any contract.