Project Being Considered

A natural step in the evolution of locally generated electricity

 

Dernacart Wind Farm is a renewable energy project located in County Laois in an area south of Garrymore Bog and north of Mountmellick. As a part of decarbonising our energy system and delivering effective climate action, this proposal forms a natural step in the evolution of locally generated electricity. With this, comes the opportunity to ensure that our electricity system delivers benefits to the local rural areas.

The proposed wind farm would consist of 8 turbines and would have the potential to power approximately 30,000 homes whilst bringing with it a fund which would be set aside or the benefit of the local community.

We would like you to tell us how you think this proposal could work best and how it could deliver real benefits for the local area.

This proposal has the potential to assist in delivering initiatives that would ensure that locally generated electricity will support local communities providing increased economic, environmental and social sustainability.

LOCATION

Click on an image to view large map

Map of proposed wind farm at Dernacart

What is being considered?

The proposed Dernacart Wind Farm consists of 8 turbines with a potential output in excess of 40 MW of electricity. This would have the capacity to power over 30,000 homes with clean green renewable energy. The project will also incorporate a significant community benefit fund which assuming RESS (Renewable Energy Support Scheme) support, will form a multimillioneuro investment opportunity specifically for the local community. Under this scheme, an investment opportunity would also be available for people who would like to invest in and get a return from the wind farm.

The area being considered is located to the north-west of Mountmellick, just south of Garrymore bog. This area includes the townlands of Dernacart, Forrest Upper and Forrest lower. 

 

Dernacart Wind Farm at a Glance:

  • 8 turbines
  • 740m and upwards – distance from nearest houses in the community to the nearest turbine
  • No Shadow Flicker at any homes in the area
  • The capacity to provide clean, green energy to approximately 30,000 homes
  • In excess of 40MW of renewable energy for the Irish grid system
  • The maximum height would be up to 185m
  • All cables would be under ground
  • There will be a substation associated with the wind farm
  • Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, temporary site compound, grid systems services, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect the proposed project to the local substation.

 

Local Electricity Generation

Locally generated electricity has brought many benefits to many areas in rural Ireland for many years. Many jobs were brought to these areas through the harvesting of peat and there has been a significant economic gain from the production of electricity. Electricity generation in Ireland is transitioning and the energy that we are using is switching from fossil fuels including peat and coal to renewable forms of energy. This transition is our best way of taking effective action on climate change. 

 

The potential to extract local economic and societal gain remains with the development of renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Areas that develop renewable energy projects will have the potential to benefit from substantial community benefit funds which will often equate to multi-million-euro investments in local rural areas. At Statkraft, we believe that local communities should play a major role in determining how these funds should be used to maximise the benefit in the local area. 

 

Locally generated electricity can continue to support locally-based employment and locally-based community groups!

 

The communities in the area around the proposed Dernacart Wind Farm have an opportunity to consider such a renewable project and how, if granted planning permission, this proposal could make a real difference to the local area.

From initial conversations, it has been noted that Mountmeillick has a vision of developing initiatives that will allow the area to lead the way on low carbon living. The fundamental principle of our community benefit packages is that we seek to work with local people to deliver increased environmental, economic and social sustainability to local communities. We would be very interested in hearing what ideas you have on how this wind farm could deliver the most benefit to you and your local area.  

 

We would like you to tell us how you feel the local area could benefit from this proposal

The proposed Dernacart Wind Farm has the potential to assist in delivering initiatives to that ensure that locally generated electricity will support the local communities. This proposal has the potential to provide the youth in the area with a better future and to extract local gain that can provide benefit for all.