EDF Renewables Ireland to build wind farm in Mayo

EDF Renewables Ireland has announced plans to develop a 100MW wind farm to the south of Bellacorick in Mayo. The proposed project will be located in a forested area to the northeast of Slieve Carr, approximately 8km southeast of Bangor Erris.

The project team is currently gathering wind data and mapping the environmental constraints on site which will be used to create a preliminary wind turbine layout. Detailed environmental studies will also be carried out at the site, including ecology, noise, landscape and visual assessments. The results of these studies, together with feedback gathered in consultation with local communities, will be used to determine the final wind farm layout and number of turbines.

EDF Renewables Ireland intends to submit a planning application and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report in support of the project to An Bord Pleanála in early 2022.

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Subject to planning permission, the wind farm is expected to be operational in 2028. A Community Benefit Fund commensurate with the size of the final project will be established to provide funding for local community initiatives and activities.

Commenting on the announcement, Kevin Daly, Head of Development at EDF Renewables Ireland, said: “Kilsallagh Wind Farm will make a positive contribution to Ireland’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis. We look forward to working closely with residents and the community in Mayo and the County Council to keep them updated on progress and the benefits this project will bring to the local area.”

However, with Ireland’s renewable energy capacity set to increase rapidly in the coming years, he also highlighted a key challenge in meeting Ireland’s goal of increasing the share of electricity generated by renewables to 70% by 2030:

“The west of Ireland is home to some of the best wind conditions in the country – but the absence of sufficient transmission infrastructure is a big challenge when it comes to harnessing this potential. More will need to be done to ensure Ireland’s grid system can accommodate the low-carbon energy that is needed to fight climate change and power our lives.”

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EDF Renewables Ireland is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies and our investment and innovation in renewable energy projects is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits to communities.

Last year the company acquired 50% of Codling Wind Park, a major offshore wind farm which will be located off the coast of Co. Wicklow, and 100% of Wexford Solar, which includes eight solar projects across Ireland. In the UK the company has an operating portfolio of 37 wind farms (together totalling almost 1GW). EDF Renewables operates in more than 20 countries around the world.

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