Planning permission sought for new windfarm in east Clare

A proposed nine turbine project in east county Clare would generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 48,000 homes annually. 

FuturEnergy Ireland has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for Knockshanvo Wind Farm. The renewable energy project is located on a site of around 936 hectares approximately 3km south of Broadford and 4km northeast of Sixmilebridge in east Clare. 

FuturEnergy Ireland is the joint venture company formed in 2021 by Coillte and ESB that combines the State’s strongest assets and expertise in renewable energy to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy.

The wind farm planning application, which includes a 110kV substation and ancillary works, was made by FuturEnergy Knockshanvo DAC. The company has also submitted a planning application for the grid connection route for the Knockshanvo project, which comprises 9.2km of cabling.

This planning submission follows an extensive community engagement programme that began in November 2022, led by the project’s Community Liaison Officers Christy O’Dea and Kevin Donnellan.

Knockshanvo Wind Farm has the potential to combat climate change by contributing towards the national target of producing 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. 

If approved and constructed as proposed, the wind farm would have a maximum output of 64.8MW.

This would generate enough clean electricity to power an estimated 48,656 homes annually, 36% of all households in Clare.

It would also save an estimated 1,598,625 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the 35-year lifetime of the project.

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"Ireland spends €1 million an hour buying fossil fuels from other countries. This enormous sum of money is urgently needed in other areas such as housing and healthcare, education and employment," a statement from FuturEnergy Ireland read.

"Projects such as Knockshanvo Wind Farm have the capacity to strengthen our energy independence and security of supply by providing clean, homegrown electricity, which will also lower fuel bills.

"Knockshanvo Wind Farm would also support local employment, contribute annual rates and provide a Community Benefit Fund. If consented and constructed as designed, the project would contribute a minimum of €270,000 per annum to a Community Benefit Fund for 15 years and a further €135,000 per annum for the operational lifetime of the wind farm.

"The ‘lifetime’ fund is an exclusive FuturEnergy Ireland initiative that brings the total contribution to the local area to approximately €6.5 million during the operational period," the statement continued."

Annual local authority rates contributions are estimated at over €0.5m per annum, while the construction period would support up to 90 jobs.

Sandra Kelly, Project Manager at FuturEnergy Ireland, says: “This planning application marks a significant step forward in FuturEnergy Ireland’s commitment to harness 1GW of clean, renewable energy by 2030.

“Our team has worked diligently to ensure that Knockshanvo is designed to be sensitive to the environment and exceeds all industry standards, including property setback and noise limits for local homeowners. We have engaged closely with local stakeholders to share information and incorporate feedback throughout the design process," she continued.

“We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders and relevant authorities as we move through the planning process.”

For more information about Knockshanvo Wind Farm, please visit www.knockshanvowindfarm.ie.

This website provides access to a Virtual Exhibition, which includes detailed project information and photomontages that show the proposed turbines. 

Planning documents for the two submissions will be available to view at www.knockshanvoplanning.ie and at www.knockshanvogridplanning.ie, on An Bord Pleanála’s website www.pleanala.ie and in the offices of Limerick and Clare County Councils.

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