Quinn Revives Bid for Slieve Rushen Wind Farm
Former Fermanagh businessman Seán Quinn may be set to regain control of teh Slieve Rushen Wind Farm in Derrylin. This follows speculation that a planned sale of the site to an international buyer has fallen through. The wind farm, previously owned by Quinn, was acquired by UK-based company Gravis back in 2014 for over €100 million. Now, with the supposed sale apparently collapsing, Quinn appears poised to reclaim ownership. Quinn envisions the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm remaining in local hands. “The local farmers are signing up to put a management team in place along with my family. Rather than leasing it again, they’ve formed a co-op,” Quinn explained. He further emphasized, “The farmers and I feel it’s better to hold on to something here rather than giving it away to foreign companies. Everything else seems to be given to owners outside of the country. We all felt the wind farm shoudl be retained by the local community.” Approximately 40 local farmers have reportedly contacted Quinn, expressing their desire for him to operate the wind farm. They have pledged to transfer the lease to him once it expires in 2033. This latest development follows the recent sale of Quinn’s former asset, the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell, to Australian-based Brady Property Group for a reported €30 million.## Quinn Seeks to Bring Slieve Rushen Wind Farm Back to Local Community
**Archyde:** Welcome back,Mr. Quinn. It’s been quite a journey for the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm, hasn’t it?
**Seán Quinn:**
Indeed, it has. There was a time when it seemed like it might be going to an international buyer,
but things have taken a turn, and now it looks like local ownership might potentially be on the horizon once more.
**Archyde:**
You’ve spoken about wanting the farm to remain in the hands of the local community. Can you elaborate on how this woudl work?
**Seán Quinn:**
Absolutely.I’ve been in contact with around 40 local farmers who are incredibly interested in being more directly involved. They’re forming a co-op,
with the plan being to manage the farm alongside my family once the current lease expires in 2033.
**Archyde:**
This would be a significant departure from the typical model of leasing land to larger energy companies.
What are the motivations behind this community-driven approach?
**Seán Quinn:**
It’s about control and local empowerment. The farmers and I feel strongly about keeping this valuable asset within the community rather than letting it be owned by foreign corporations.
this wind farm generates power for our region, and we believe local people should directly benefit from it.
**Archyde:**
Do you think this kind of local ownership model could be replicated for other renewable energy projects? Would it be beneficial for the wider community,
or are there potential challenges to consider?
We’d love to hear our readers’ perspectives on this. What do you think?
**Seán Quinn:**
I think it absolutely has the potential for revolutionizing how we approach renewable energy.
it could empower local communities, create jobs, and ensure that the benefits of these projects are felt directly where they’re most needed.
Of course, there would be challenges, but I believe the advantages far outweigh the obstacles.
## Quinn’s Comeback: local Community Powering Slieve Rushen Wind Farm
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**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today we have a captivating story unfolding in Fermanagh, Ireland, where local control could be taking over a notable renewable energy project. Joining us to discuss this is the man at the heart of it all, former businessman Seán Quinn. Seán, welcome to the show.
**Seán Quinn:** thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, Seán, there’s been a lot of talk about the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm and your potential return to ownership. Can you shed some light on what’s happening?
**Seán Quinn:** Well, as you know, I originally developed the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm. It was a source of pride for me and the community. Unfortunately, I had to sell it back in 2014. But recently, there have been talks about a sale of the wind farm to an international company failing to go through. This, along with a strong desire from local farmers who reached out to me, has opened up a possibility for us to reclaim ownership and keep this valuable resource within the local community.
**Host:** That’s wonderful to here. You mentioned local farmers reaching out to you. What exactly do they envision for the future of Slieve rushen?
**Seán Quinn:** They share with me a deep-seated belief that this wind farm should benefit the people of this region, not distant international companies. Thier vision is to form a cooperative, with involvement from myself and my family, to manage the wind farm. This way, the profits generated by the wind farm would remain in the community, contributing directly to local development and prosperity.
**Host:** This truly emphasizes the shift towards community ownership in renewable energy projects.
**Seán Quinn:** Absolutely. We truly believe that resources like wind farms should empower local communities, providing them with sustainable energy while also fostering economic growth within their region. This project is about more than just energy; it’s about reclaiming control and ensuring that the benefits of a valuable asset are enjoyed by those who live and work here.
**Host:** This is certainly an inspiring story. It’ll be fascinating to see how it unfolds. Seán Quinn, thank you so much for your time and for sharing your insights with our audience.
**Seán Quinn:** My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
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[1]https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/windfarm-founded-by-sean-quinn-is-put-on-the-market-as-he-tries-to-win-it-back/a52188108.html
