Project Being Considered

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Configuration

  • Renewable electricity for the Irish Electricity Grid System
  • 15 wind turbines (including 2 additional turbine locations)
  • Maximum tip height remains at 175m
  • A 7.5m increase in the length of turbine blades
  • No Shadow Flicker at any house in the area
  • Setback distance to dwelling houses of 700m and over

Output

  • Increased output
  • An estimated output in the region of .90MW which will be confirmed before construction
  • Potential to power c.66,000 Irish homes with renewable energy
  • Carbon displacement – c.100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year displaced
  • Associated Works All cabling will be placed underground
  • There will be an onsite substation at the previously permitted location
  • A local borrow pit will be used to source material
  • No blasting or explosives will be used on this project
  • Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, temporary site compound, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect the proposed project to the existing Mullingar 110kV substation

Local Benefits

  • A Community Benefit Fund of c.€500,000 per year will be available for the local area which will allow a wide range of individuals and organisations to benefit from the proposed wind farm
  • Rates payments of c.€540,000 per annum will be payable to Westmeath County Council
  • There will be approximately 135 jobs created during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of the proposed project

The need for this project

The impacts of climate change on our world are indisputable. We are all being challenged to consider the role we play in climate action and how we can reduce our reliance on costly and polluting imported fossil fuels. The world is getting warmer, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. We cannot stop climate change, but we can take action to address it. Renewable energy development is a vital part of that action.

The energy price hikes experienced across Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine have put huge pressure on households and businesses, and exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis. Our electricity demands are also on the rise and providing sufficient supplies to avoid potential power shortages has become ever more challenging.

Furthermore, Ireland's energy security has come into sharp focus. Having our own secure, sustainable supply will shield us from global market energy price increases and continue to help protect families and businesses from the worst effects of a crisis caused by our reliance on fossil fuels. We can tap into our own natural resources and roll out clean, affordable energy that won’t break the bank. 

Electricity generation

Green electricity has brought significant benefits to areas across rural Ireland for many years. How we generate electricity in Ireland is becoming less reliant on fossil fuels, such as peat and coal, and transitioning to renewable forms of energy. This transition is our best way of taking effective action on climate change. 

The development of renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, brings significant potential for local economic and societal gains. Areas that develop renewable energy projects will have the potential to benefit from substantial community benefit funds. At Statkraft, we believe that local communities should play a major role in determining how these funds should be used to maximise the benefit for the local area. 

The communities in the area of the wind farm project have an opportunity to consider how such a renewable project could make a real difference to their locality. The fundamental principle of our community benefits packages is that we seek to work with local people to deliver increased environmental, economic and social sustainability to their communities.

We are very interested in hearing what ideas you have on how this wind farm could deliver the most benefit to you and your local area.