Project Overview and Evolution

Project at a Glance

• 10 turbine project

• Turbine heights of 150m and 185m

• Distance to the nearest turbine – over 600m and 740m depending on turbine height

• Over 53MW of renewable energy to the Irish electricity grid

• Zero shadow flicker policy

• Total Community Benefit Fund of circa €3.97 million over 15 years

• Near Neighbour Payments will be available as part of the Community Benefit Fund associated with the project

• Recreational, community and biodiversity improvements associated with the development​

• Annual rate payments c. €1 million a year  

• Associated works will include access tracks, met mast, turbine foundations and hard-standing areas, drainage works, temporary site compound, grid system services, substation, and underground electrical and communications cable to connect the proposed project to a local substation.

How has this project evolved over time?

At the initial stages of consideration, designers drafted a project outline that would maximise the wind energy potential of the site. Placing local appropriateness as a fundamental consideration, further optimisation of this design was carried out. Following feedback received during initial community engagement, distance to houses, number of turbines, shadow flicker and noise were also considered. It was found that it was possible to reduce turbine numbers further and improve the general performance levels of the proposed wind farm by increasing the tip height by 35m.

The design changes are set out in the following table:

Islandmore Project Evolution
	Concept Design	Further Design Iteration	Current Design
Distance to houses	500m	600m - 740m depending on turbine height	600m - 740m depending on turbine height
No. of turbines	15	13	10
Shadow flicker	In line with guidelines	Eliminated - no shadow flicker	Eliminated - no shadow flicker
Turbine height	150m	Between 150m - 185m	Between 150m - 185m
Potential capacity	c. 52MW	c. 58MW	c. 53MW

 

Environmental Impact

An environmental impact assessment is a planning and decision-making tool used to assess the potential positive and negative effects of proposed projects.

Impact assessments consider a wide range of factors and propose measures to mitigate the potential adverse effects of projects.