ESB to replace its oldest wind farm in Donegal with two new turbines

The ESB is seeking planning permission to redevelop its oldest commercial wind farm, located in Inishowen, Co Donegal.

The ten wind turbines at Illies in the townland of Crockahenny were constructed in 1998. After 28 years of operation, the ESB plans to decommission the existing wind farm and replace it with two larger turbines on the same site.

The application seeks a 10-year planning permission for the construction of two wind turbines with an overall blade tip height of up to 135 metres, along with all associated works.

These include turbine foundations, hardstandings and assembly areas with associated drainage, a proposed 38kV electrical substation to replace the existing substation and the continued use of the existing electrical compound.

Restored

Crockahenny Wind Farm was officially completed in 1998 and became ESB’s first commercially operational wind farm. It is located on the Inishowen Peninsula, around 12km east of Buncrana.

The existing site comprises ten turbines with a combined generating capacity of 5 megawatts, producing enough renewable electricity to power approximately 3,100 homes each year.

As part of the redevelopment, turbine components will be removed and recycled where possible and any hardstand areas not retained will be restored to their original use.