Abstract
As a member state of the European Union (EU), Ireland has adopted an energy policy which includes promoting wind-powered electricity generators as an economically viable, GHG-reducing alternative to environmentally damaging fossil-fuel-driven electrical generators. This longitudinal, inductive in-depth study investigates the outcomes for the government, investors, and other stakeholders involved in a 300-kW wind turbine project investment by a Small–Medium Enterprise (SME) based in rural Ireland. A case study/action research methodology is used to acquire and analyse quantitative numerical data from multiple sources, including electrical power and energy meters, historical electricity bills and company sustainability reports. Numerous site visits were organised, where the researcher familiarised himself with the culture and experiences of the employees in the participant company. The study found that the installation of the 300-kW wind turbine did not contribute significantly to the EU-binding Green-House-Gas (GHG) national emission reduction targets and had minimal positive effects on the electricity costs for the business. Indeed, the turbine appears to have significant adverse effects such as a need for an increased Maximum Import Capacity and deterioration in the utility power factor. Empirical measurements on the wind turbine output identified a constantly ramping power output signal. The findings also serve to question the effectiveness of the sustainability reporting framework. The number of energy units produced by the turbine was overstated in the SME’s sustainability report mainly due to undetected erroneous energy readings. Caution should be exercised when business owners select alternative energy providers who claim to be experts in the energy field but may have limited knowledge in this area of wind energy. This exploratory study is of benefit to all stakeholders, including the national government who are promoting wind energy as a significant player in the overall energy policy as they target a reduction of Green-House-Gas emissions.