Project Being Constructed

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

  • The project would supply renewable electricity for the Irish Electricity Grid System for use in Ireland

  • It will be comprised of up to 12 wind turbines

  • With an output in the region of 60MW, it will have the capacity to provide green energy to over 35,000 Irish homes

  • The maximum tip height – 169m

  • There will be an onsite substation

  • All cabling will be placed underground

  • Material for the construction of the roads and hardstanding areas will be sourced as locally as possible in order to minimise the number of traffic movements

  • Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, a local borrow pit, drainage works, temporary site compound, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect to the Grid

  • Rates payments of up to €500,000 per annum payable to Offaly County Council. Rates paid by renewal energy projects would reduce the pressure on local authorities to do so.

  • An inclusive Community Benefits package (based on feedback from those in the local area) has been developed which will allow a wide range of individuals and organisations to benefit from the proposed wind farm.  This includes:

      • An Amenity Walkway and Cycle Track – It is proposed to develop a  6km Walkway and Cycle track that would be open to the general public
      • Direct benefit – for houses within 1kmGreener Homes Scheme
        Household Dividend
      • Community Benefit Fund  – A  multi-million euro fund would be available for local community groups and projects.

     

  • Approximately 72 jobs will be created during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of the proposed project

LOCATION

Moanvane wind farm layout map

PROJECT PROPOSAL

An area centred around the townlands of  Moanvane, Kilcooney, Bogtown Kilcappagh, Ballykean & Enaghan. in Co. Offaly, 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 were carried out with the view to identifying how a project would work best in this area and bring the most benefit to the local community.

A grid connection application was submitted and has been granted. This will allow the wind farm to connect to the Irish electricity grid system and will involve the townlands of Rathfeston, Ballykean, Ballyduff, Raheenbeg, Kilcooney, Ballintogher, Gorteenkeel and Ballynakill, Co. Offaly. For more information on this please visit the Grid Connection tab.

 

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. 

Read more about The Need for This Project

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.