Need For This Project
Cloghan Wind Farm
Energy Security
Recent events have thrown the security of our energy supply into focus. Most of us still use fossil fuels to generate the electricity that we use to heat our homes and run our cars. These are not only a finite resource, but also release carbon into the environment.
Energy security can only be achieved from investing in renewable energy, allowing us to achieve a cleaner environment and real energy independence in this country. With abundant natural resources, Ireland can be a world leader when it comes to renewable energy integration and is on the right path to decarbonising our energy system.
It is simply not sustainable to rely on fossil fuels for our energy needs, and nor do we need to with the resources that we have. Not only does it result in higher costs, but it is a volatile market. Developing our own renewable energy simply makes far more sense.
Project Sustainability
Our ambition is to contribute to a more sustainable future for all. We are committed to developing our projects in a manner that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that all efforts are both sustainable and responsible.
These goals guide our actions and help us deliver impactful climate action while maintaining a responsible supply chain. Our supply chain management encompasses critical aspects such as health and safety, environment and climate, human rights, labour rights, and business ethics.
Statkraft Ireland is dedicated to pioneering sustainability in every project we undertake. As a proud Business Supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, we emphasise the importance of biodiversity. We believe that individual responsibility, combined with collective action, can significantly enhance our environmental impact.
With the support of the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) and active community participation, our solar farms are designed to incorporate environmentally sustainable measures that can transform local habitats.
These measures include:
-Planting wildflower meadows
-Providing sections of species-rich grass
-Improving hedgerows
-Tree planting
-Installing bird and insect boxes where needed
A comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan will be included in our planning submission, with biodiversity at the core of our design. Our goal is to maximise the ecological potential of each area we develop. Wildflower meadows, bird boxes, and insect hotels are just a few of the initiatives we will integrate into our projects, ensuring that our efforts bring tangible benefits to the environment and the community.
With the combined efforts of Statkraft, the RESS, and our community, we are confident in our ability to deliver projects that not only meet today's energy needs but also foster a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for future generations.
Ireland is now on a path of decarbonisation and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy is the only way to avoid harmful global warming and ensuring energy security.
Solar power is a clean, abundant source of energy that has many benefits.
Key benefits
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Future energy
A solar farm will produce clean renewable energy for future generations. Local energy production improves energy security.
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Business rates
Solar farms pay rates to the local authorities, thereby contributing to the funding of vital public services.
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Jobs
We encourage any local supplier that can play a part in the construction or operation of this solar farm to get in touch.
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Community benefits
The Irish Government requires that all renewable projects that are developed over the coming years invest a community benefit fund into the local area, which will bring significant opportunities for local communities.
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Air quality
Decarbonising our electricity system and moving away from fossil fuels allows us to deliver on climate action, and in doing so improves our air quality.
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Supporting biodiversity
For every renewable energy project we build, there is potential to improve the environment and increase habitat diversity through a number of measures.