‘Particularly dangerous’: Fire concerns as locals oppose windfarm in south Kildare

A recent planning permission application for a 120 metre wind monitoring mast at Kilberry bog in south Kildare has been met with strong local opposition. 

The function of the proposed mast - which is lodged on behalf of Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables to meet renewable energy targets for the Midlands - is to assess the bog and the surrounding area’s suitability to become “Kilberry WindFarm”. 

Over 30 individuals have submitted objections to the development thus far. Many of them expressed concerns about the potential that the development has to cause a bog fire, the threat the development may have to local fauna and flora populations and the effect the windfarm could have on the bog environment. 

One objection states: “Kilberry Bog has a documented history of peat-fires. Peat-fires are particularly dangerous due to their ability to smoulder underground and reignite. As of May 2025, there were reports of active peat-fires in the area.” 

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“Installing tall infrastructure with electrical equipment and guywires in such a landscape increases the risk of ignition and complicates fire suppression efforts,” they added. 

Other opponents of the mast noted that the proposed infrastructure’s glare could set off a fire in the bog.

Another concerned local’s objection stated that the bog is home to a number of protected bird species, such as the “hen harrier, merlin, peregrine falcon, European golden plover, northern lapwing, common snipe, jacksnipe, mallard, common teal, mute swan, whooper swan, common ringed plover, green sandpiper, owls such as the long eared owls and short eared owls, sparrow hawks and buzzards,and the kingfisher”. 

A number of the observations pointed out that there are protected species in the bog environment that are protected by the EU Habitats Directive. 

The council has requested further information from the development. The planning authority have sought an Ecological Impact Statement on the development's potential impact on animal populations, as well as the local habitats - particularly of those with terrestrial concern.

Another recurring issue of concern that is shared amongst the objectors include the windfarm’s visual impact on the landscape.

Locals are also concerned that the construction of the development will be unsafe. 

One objector wrote that “the proposed development is unacceptable with regard to the narrow width of the route to be taken by lorries and heavy machinery accessing the site and would endanger public.”

They further added that the narrow Rathconnell L8003 road is “boggy”, and is frequently used by cyclists and pedestrians. 

The website for the development states that the Kilberry windfarm is currently at an early stage, and that the project is currently “seeking feedback from the community on the proposed intention to develop a wind farm on this bog.”

Two community groups have formed online to oppose the development. The Kilberry Windfarm Action Group Facebook page has over 300 followers, whilst the Kilberry Says No group on Facebook  has over 600 group members. 

Three consultation meetings have taken place in the localities of Newtownbert, Nurney and Narraghmore in March between Bord na Móna / SSE Electricity and people of the locality.