Project being considered
An area centred around the townland of Drehid in north Co. Kildare was identified as having the potential for the development of a suitable and appropriate wind farm development. Design works, surveys and consultation with the local community are ongoing with the view to identifying how a project would work best in this area and bring the most benefit to the local community.
The proposed project includes sections of Coillte property in addition to other third-party lands. If you have any queries related to Coillte, please contact lsinfo@coillte.ie.
Project at a glance
- This project would supply renewable energy to the Irish electricity grid system
- 11 turbines
- 640m set back to homes in the wider area
- Zero shadow flicker
- Capacity to power approx. 32,400 homes with green electricity
- All cables will be laid underground
- There will be an onsite substation
- Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, a temporary site compound, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect the proposed project on-site substation.
Location
Project proposal
A planning application was lodged for this proposal to Kildare County Council (KCC) in December 2018. A request for further information was received from KCC in February 2019. This requested information was submitted in October 2019 for review by the planning authority.
Design changes at a glance:
- Fewer turbines – 11 turbines are now being considered
- No shadow flicker – A commitment to zero shadow flicker at all homes in the area
- Distance – Turbines have been moved further away from homes. The distance to homes in the wider area has increased from 500m to 640m
- There are now 86 houses within 1km. Of these, 60 would be 800m or more from a turbine (there were previously 180 houses within 1km)
- The distance to homes in the wider area has increased from 500m to 640m
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.