Farmers' wind turbines to be maintained after manufacturer closes down

A liquidator was appointed at a meeting of creditors on Friday to manage the closure of Athenry, Co Galway-based wind turbine manufacturer C & F Green Energy.

Co Galway farmer Padraig Fahy told the Irish Farmers Journal that he joined a committee to represent 180 creditors and liaise with the liquidator.

Fahy said he bought a turbine from C & F Green Energy nine years ago, but his relationship broke down with the company and he is awaiting payment for €55,000.

“It doesn’t look good,” Fahy said, given the high number of creditors owed money.

The move to close C&F Green Energy Limited should not affect C&F Turbine Services (Ireland) Limited

In a recent letter to farmers and other customers seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, the C & F Group announced its intention to close its wind turbine manufacturing company, but said it would continue to provide maintenance.

"The move to close C&F Green Energy Limited should not affect C&F Turbine Services (Ireland) Limited, which is a wholly separate company. C&F Turbine Services (Ireland) Limited will continue operations in the wind turbine repair, monitoring, maintenance, parts and servicing business," the letter reads.

Warranty

The company said it would provide further information, including the status of turbines under warranty after the liquidator is appointed.

C & F Green Energy was a supplier of small-size turbines suitable to farm settings and is understood to have sold the machines to dozens of Irish farmers and to others in the UK.

Brendan Lawlor from Ballybunion, Co Kerry, said he had received the same information and contacted the company when his turbine was stopped this Friday.

He was told the remote monitoring service continued as usual and the stoppage was a normal precaution taken ahead of storm Hannah.

Electricity bill

Lawlor said the turbine had "wiped the electricity bill" from his dairy farm and he was very happy with it.

C & F Green Energy's collapse is "an indictment of the Government" with the absence of a tariff for small-scale renewable electricity failing to support demand for the turbines and jobs in the west of Ireland, according to Lawlor.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that C & F Green Energy recently hit difficulties in overseas markets.

C & F Green Energy has been contacted for comment.

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