Bord na Móna is proposing to develop a wind farm on the Ballydermot Bog Group located in Counties Kildare and Offaly.  The proposed development will be known as Ballydermot Wind Farm

How many turbines are proposed for the development?

The final layout comprises of 47 wind turbines. Apart from the turbines themselves, the other principal components of the wind farm are the foundations to support the turbine towers, access, crane hard standings, underground cables between the turbines, an on-site electricity substation and an electrical connection to the appropriate node on the National Grid

To view the Final Wind Turbine Layout Map, please click here

What height are the proposed turbines and how close are they to people's homes?

The proposed turbines will have an overall blade tip height ranging from 200 to 220 metres above ground level. (Please refer to the infrastructure map for further detail).

Within this size envelope, various configurations of hub height and rotor diameter may be used. The exact make and model of the turbine will be dictated by a competitive tender process, post planning and it will not exceed the maximum tip heights ranging from 200 to 220 metres above ground level.

What setback distance has been applied from houses?

The Final Wind Turbine Layout has been designed with a minimum setback distance of 880m to the nearest house from a turbine.

This complies with the Draft Wind Energy Development Guidelines (2019), which proposes a setback distance of 4 times the tip height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property, subject to a mandatory minimum distance of 500 metres.

When will a planning application be lodged?

It is envisaged that a planning application will be submitted in 2025 for the proposed project.

It is intended to submit the planning permission application directly to An Bord Pleanála, under the provisions of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.  An initial approach is therefore being made to An Bord Pleanála seeking a determination in relation to the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) status, or otherwise, of the proposed wind farm development.

What amenities will the proposed wind farm provide?

The proposed Ballydermot Wind Farm will include the construction of new access roads to install and maintain the wind turbines.  The Draft Amenity Plan will seek to utilise these new access roads as a basis for most of the proposed trails for walking, cycling and horse riding.  Additional amenity links are also provided to create loops and increase accessibility within the site. Former railway lines, existing roads and machine passes are also proposed to be utilised.

Please refer to the Draft Amenity Plan Booklet and the Draft Amenity Plan Map for more detail on the proposed amenity plans for the development.

To provide your feedback on this draft Amenity Plan to the Project Team, please complete and submit the Draft Amenity Plan Feedback Questionnaire by Friday 30th September 2022. 

An online version, and a downloadable version have been provided for your convenience.

What local benefits will this proposed development provide?

The development of the proposed Ballydermot Wind Farm will support up to 100 -150  jobs at peak construction and supporting a number of long term, high quality technical jobs in operations and maintenance.

Local communities will also benefit from additional rates paid to the Local Authority which support the provision of local services, a community benefit scheme, upgrading of road infrastructure in the vicinity of of the proposed Wind Farm (as required), payment of taxes from the project, and dividends from Bord na Móna to the State, and indirect employment created through the sub-supply of a wide range of products and services.

Where will the power from the proposed wind farm go?

The electricity generated by the turbines will be transmitted directly onto Ireland’s National Grid which is managed by EirGrid for distribution around the country. The proposed development will make a significant contribution to Irelands Climate Action Plan 2019, which has a set a target of 8.2GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030.

How can I provide feedback on the proposed development to Bord na Móna?

We encourage feedback through a number of channels including:
• Through the Project’s Community Liaison Officers: Niall and James. For their contact details, click here
• Via the project’s dedicated email address: ballydermotwindfarm@bnm.ie