A hydroelectric generator recently installed at the K Club resort near Straffan, one of Ireland’s most prestigious golf clubs, has sparked controversy. Local authorities have received multiple complaints claiming the project was carried out without the necessary planning permission.
The complaints, filed with Kildare County Council, raise concerns over the installation of the generator at the five-star resort, particularly regarding its potential impact on local fish populations. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for managing Ireland’s inland fisheries and protecting fish stocks, was one of the complainants.
Another complaint, filed last month by a local angling group, referred to an “unauthorised hydropower scheme on Straffan weir.” The complaint stated that the generator was built by the K Club without the required planning approval, and that it redirected the River Liffey’s main flow over the weir through turbines to generate electricity.
Critics argue that the turbines lack protective screens, which they say endangers salmon smolts migrating downstream during the spring months. The complaint claims the installation threatens the survival of these fish and disrupts the migration of salmon, sea trout, and other species that rely on the river’s flow. They warned that, without immediate intervention, the development could wipe out an entire generation of salmon born in the upper Liffey.
A spokesperson for Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed they filed a similar complaint in August, months before the generator went live. The agency believes the development was significant enough to require planning permission and that it failed to consider the potential threats to local fish populations and their migration patterns.
Neither Kildare County Council nor Eco Hydro, the company responsible for the installation, have responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the K Club also declined to provide a statement.
Eco Hydro was hired by the K Club in 2023 to “restore and improve” the resort’s existing hydroelectric generator, which uses the River Liffey’s flow to provide power to the club. The company’s principal, Robert Quirke, has been embroiled in a separate dispute with the Health Service Executive (HSE) over €10.3 million worth of unused ventilators purchased during the pandemic.
The K Club officially launched its refurbished hydroelectric generator last Christmas. The resort claimed the new system would meet about 70% of the hotel’s electrical needs. They also noted that the project required a custom-built turbine, which took approximately 12-18 months to complete. However, the club did not disclose the cost of the refurbishment.
Environmental groups and local anglers are urging the Kildare County Council to take action, expressing concerns over the long-term damage to the River Liffey’s ecosystem.
