The possible affect from wind turbine noise is the principal potential health impact attributed to wind energy developments. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in line with the “preferred draft approach” (PDA) which was announced in June 2017 by the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in conjunction with the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The PDA proposes noise restriction limits that are consistent with World Health Organisation standards and takes account of certain noise characteristics specific to wind turbines.
My Department is working in conjunction with DECC, in the context of its environmental noise policy remit, to finalise the guidance on the noise aspect of the review. As part of this work, DECC, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. As part of their work, which is now substantially complete, the noise consultants have assessed the impact of human health from turbine noise having regard to international best practice and standards, including the current World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on noise.
My Department, in conjunction with DECC, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
