Sligo in line for major wind farm upgrade

Plans have been submitted for a new 102MW wind farm in Co Sligo, which would replace two existing wind farms operating in the area.

SSE Renewables has submitted a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the proposed Crumhach Wind Farm near Dromore West.

The project would redevelop the existing 25MW Kingsmountain Wind Farm and neighbouring 11MW Dunneill Wind Farm, while also including development on adjacent greenfield lands.

If approved and constructed as proposed, Crumhach would have an installed capacity of up to 102MW, compared with the combined 36MW capacity of the two existing wind farms.

In total, the new development would consist of up to 17 modern wind turbines, replacing the 23 turbines currently in operation, as well as a new 110kV onsite substation.

Community benefit fund

Kingsmountain has been operating since 2003, while Dunneill began operating in 2010.

SSE states that it plans to establish a new community benefit fund during the wind farm’s first year of commercial operation, if the project proceeds. This would be a condition of the renewable-electricity state-support scheme, if the project avails of it.

SSE Renewables says the fund would be expected to deliver multimillion euro benefits to surrounding communities over the lifetime of the wind farm.

Since 2004, more than €650,000 has been contributed to local groups through the existing Kingsmountain and Dunneill Community Benefit Fund.