Electricity Corridors and Existing Forests with Donal Whelan
Download MP3Today I'm joined by Donal Whelan from the Irish Timber Growers Association. We talk a little about the role of the ITGA itself but we mostly focus on a new challenge for forest owners across Ireland - proposals to widen ESB corridors through existing semi mature and mature forests. We talk about the long established practice which facilitates power lines in new plantations and how owners are compensated for areas that cannot be planted with trees. Then we move on to the many possible implications if ESB corridors are widened without adequate engagement and consultation with forest owners - hugely increased windblow risk in areas adjoining cleared sections, reduced future access to area based forestry and farming support schemes, reduced access to basic farming payments, disruption and reduction of harvest income, sterilisation of underlying ground from future planting not to mention the thorny issues of who prevents woody regrowth from establishing or if the cleared areas will be made fit for return to agricultural activity with provision for livestock grade fencing. Some forest owners, myself included, have already being approached by the ESB and Donal reflects on what land owners are obliged (under current legislation) to facilitate at present.
This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to
This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to
About Donal:
Donal Whelan, B.Agr.Sc. (Forestry) is a forestry graduate from University College Dublin and is principal of Commercial Forestry Services Ltd. (CFS) and Technical Director of the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA). Since 1986 Donal Whelan has provided forestry consultancy, management and advisory services to a wide range of corporate and private clients. A number of woodlands managed by Donal Whelan have won the National RDS – FS Forestry Awards, the most recent in 2019.
Key Points:
- Role of Irish Timber Growers Association
- Impact of proposed forestry legislation on landowners
- Current power line corridor widening and compensation
- Forest resilience and wind blow risks
- Unanswered questions around impacts of proposed widening.
- Engagement with policymakers and stakeholders
Quotes:
- "The legislation is a moving target."
- "Engage with a professional forester for advice."
- "Widening corridors affects wind stability and forest health."
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Follow the Guest on:
Commercial Forestry Services: https://forests.ie/
Donal on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donal-whelan-54240716/
Irish Timber Growers Association: https://itga.ie/
Other Links of Note:
Agreement between the Irish Farmers Association and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in the case of forestry. https://www.ifa.ie/ifa-compensation-agreements/
Minister O'Brien's Press Release re: new draft legislation: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/press-releases/minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-legislation-to-strengthen-electricity-network-resilience/
This issue in the media: https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/sinn-fein-to-table-bill-on-forestry-corridors-for-critical-infrastructure/
ESB's Winter Resilience Plan: https://media.esbnetworks.ie/media/docs/default-source/publications/esb-networks-winter-2025-grid-resilience-plan.pdf
Detail on Storm Éowyn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_%C3%89owyn
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Chapters: 00:00 Show introduction: Donald Whelan on ESB power lines and Irish forests
02:09 Donald’s forestry background and the role of the ITGA
06:46 Proposed changes to ESB corridors through existing forests
09:10 Existing ESB arrangements for new plantations and power lines
11:29 Compensation for land, lost premiums and professional advice
16:20 Current ESB corridor widths and compensation rules
21:03 Widening corridors: wind risk and the impact on established forests
28:12 Landowner rights, ESB approaches and the proposed legislation
32:56 Premature harvesting, financial losses and grant implications
37:40 Timber extraction, forest roads and the cost of removing trees
40:05 Corridor maintenance, regrowth and landowner liability
42:29 Farming supports and the implications for forest owners
47:17 Representing forest owners: political engagement and ITGA priorities
54:26 The future of private forestry and closing remarks
