Work set to start on €64m Castlepook wind farm
ALMOST four years after it was given the all-clear by An Bord Pleanála the controversial Castlepook Wind Farm project in the Ballyhoura Mountains is set to finally go ahead.
This after it emerged that the ESB and the state forestry company Coillte have reached an agreement that will see it financed through a long-term debt from the Bank of Ireland.
Once operational the wind farm, which will cost €64 million to develop, will produce enough electricity the equivalent of approximately 17,000 homes.
A planning application for the project had been initially lodged with Cork County Council in May of 2011, with planners giving it conditional approval in March of 2012 following a number of requests for additional information.
However, that decision was referred to the appeals board following two third party appeals which raised concerns over issues including its visual impact and its impact on local wildlife and the surrounding environment.
The ESB also objected to 10 of the conditions imposed by planners in granting the project permission.
In February 2013 the appeals board ruled in favour of the development, subject to 20 conditions covering issues including the protection of local wildlife habitats, public health, the ascetics of the wind turbines, noise and traffic safety.
Once operational the 33.2 MW Castlepook Wind Farm will consist of 14 wind turbines connected to the existing electricity distribution system at Charleville via an underground 38kV cable.
Commenting on the joint venture with Coillte, ESB chief executive Pat O’Doherty said the project represents the company’s commitment to investing in low carbon and renewable technologies.
“Castlepook will add to ESB’s portfolio of 15 Irish wind farms and will help us achieve our target of 1,600 MW of wind generation capacity by 2025,” said Mr O’Doherty.
“We believe our wind farm investments should deliver long term social, economic and environmental benefits for everyone and we look forward to working with Coillte to delivering this at Castlepook.”
A community benefit scheme has also been established for the Castlepook Wind Farm, which has already supported the construction of additional routes within the Ballyhoura mountain bike trails.
These are also plans to establish a fund for local community projects and initiatives over the lifetime of the wind farm.