Plans for massive Bord na Mona 46-turbine Kildare/Offaly wind farm lodged
Bord na Móna has lodged plans for a 46-turbine wind farm, which will straddle the Kildare/Offaly border
Bord na Móna has lodged plans for a 46-turbine wind farm, which will straddle the Kildare/Offaly border near Rathangan. It is expected to produce 322 megawatts of power.
The proposed development is located 2.2km south-southeast of Edenderry Co. Offaly, 3.3km west of Allenwood, 2km north of Rathangan and 1.7km east of Clonbullogue Village, Co. Offaly.
The wind farm, if approved, features 46 turbines and two 40m meteorological masts. Eighteen turbines will be located in Co. Offaly, while 28 will be positioned in Co. Kildare. They will range in height from 200m to 220m. The proposed development will also involve underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the proposed turbines and meteorological mast to the proposed 220kV electrical substation at Lullymore East.
The plans also include the upgrade of 2.8km of existing internal site roads/tracks and the provision of 60 km of new internal site access roads, passing bays, layby areas and set down areas. The development also provides for 14.4km of new tracks and 844m of boardwalk for the purposes of amenity, seating areas, and amenity signage, four car parks comprising 132 spaces for private vehicles, 12 spaces for accessible parking, parking for buses and bicycle rack facilities.
Bord na Mona Powergen Ltd is seeking a ten-year permission and an operational period of thirty-five-years for the wind turbines and meteorological mast from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines.
According to the plans, Ballydermot Wind farm will be located across the townlands of Cushaling, Ballina, Ballinrath, Ballydermot, Ballykilleen, Ballynakill, Clonbrown, Cloncanon, Cloncant, Clonmel, Clonroosk Big, Clonroosk Little, Codd, Coolygagan, Derries, Esker More, Kilcumber and Shean, Co. Offaly.
It will also stretch across to Allenwood Middle, Allenwood North, Allenwood South, Ballinure, Ballysooghan North, Barnaran, Blackwood, Brockagh, Cappanargid, Clonkeen, Coolree, Curryhills, Cushaling, Derrybrennan, Derrymullen, Downings North, Drumsru, Goatstown, Graigues, Killinagh Lower, Killinagh Upper, Killinthomas, Killybegs, Killyguire, Kilpatrick, Lullybeg, Lullymore East, Lullymore West, Rathangan, Ticknevin and Ballybrack, Co. Kildare.
Members of the public have until January 5 to have their say on the plans, which can be viewed online at https://www.ballydermotwindfarmplanning.ie/
An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to make a decision by October 28 2027.