Permission sought for new four turbine windfarm in south Donegal
New junction to be opened on N56 to facilitate deliveries to the construction site
Plans have been lodged for a major new wind farm development between Ardara and Killybegs featuring four large-scale turbines and connections to the national grid.
Mulmosog Wind Limited has signalled its intention to apply to Donegal County Council for permission for the development across the townlands of Mulmosog, Meentullynagran, Meenakillew, Meenavally, Altnagapple, Crocknagapple and Corker More.
The area already has a number of windfarms - including a six-turbine development at Corkermore and a seven-turbine farm at Clogheravaddy - and it is designated as “open to consideration” for new windfarms under the current County Development Plan.
The proposed development includes three 4.5 megawatt (MW) turbines with blade tip heights of 150 metres, along with a fourth 4.2MW turbine reaching a blade tip height of 135 metres. At 150 metres, the turbines are roughly the same height as the length of the playing pitch at Croke Park.
Plans also include turbine foundations, crane hardstand areas, internal access tracks and two temporary construction compounds.
A permanent 38kV onsite electricity substation and control building is proposed for Corker More, alongside underground cabling and associated electrical infrastructure.
The notice also outlines plans to open a new junction onto the N56 at Meenavally, between Killybegs and Ardara, to facilitate the delivery of construction materials to the site.
Additional elements of the proposal include an 85 metre high meteorological mast, a new bridge on the access road from the new N56 junction and an upgrade to an existing bridge on the local road (L8063), two borrow pits and biodiversity enhancement measures.
A new underground 38kV cable extending approximately 357 metres will connect the development to the national grid at Corker More via existing overhead lines and two new 12 metre end masts.
The application seeks a ten-year planning permission and a 40-year operational lifespan for the wind farm from the date of commissioning.
However, the public notice states that part of the substation and all grid connection infrastructure would be owned and operated by ESB Networks and, accordingly, permission is being sought in perpetuity for the grid connection and onsite substation and control building.
The public notice advertising the plans was published in the local press, and outlines how members of the public can inspect the plan and its accompanying environmental impact assessments at the offices of Donegal County Council's planning section in Lifford.
As a renewable energy project, the development can benefit from a streamlined and accelerated planning process under recent amendments to planning legislation.