Croaghaun Wind Farm
FuturEnergy Ireland is exploring the potential for a renewable energy project in East Carlow.
About us
FuturEnergy Ireland is a joint venture company owned on a 50:50 basis by Coillte and ESB that launched in November 2021.
By combining the assets and expertise of these two leading commercial semi-state companies, FuturEnergy Ireland is strongly positioned to tackle climate change and improve energy security on behalf of the people of Ireland. Coillte and ESB have a long history of working with communities to develop renewable energy including Raheenleagh Wind Farm in Co. Wicklow and Castlepook Wind Farm in Co. Cork.
Our ambition is to develop more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and make a significant contribution to Ireland’s commitment to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade.
Site study area
The proposed site is located on Croaghaun Hill, south of Myshall and Kildavin in East Carlow.
Our ambition is to develop more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030
7
Turbines
€4.5m
Community Benefit Fund
2.9m
Tonnes of carbon emissions saved
25,500
Homes powered annually
Calculations based on the project being constructed as proposed and operational for 30 years, based on average household use of 4.2MWh of electricity per year
Timeline
FuturEnergy Ireland is lodging a judicial review application against the decision taken by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning for this project. In the meantime, your Community Liaison Officer Shane Lowry is available to answer general queries and questions
Autumn/Winter 2018
- Newsletter 1 Introducing the proposed project distributed.
Newsletter 2 with project updates distributed.
Spring/Summer 2019
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement process is ongoing, Shane recruited as CLO. Newsletter 3 distributed.
- Environmental Impact Assessment baseline studies begin.
Autumn/Winter 2019
- Iterative design process commences using feedback from environmental studies including grid route.
Newsletter 4 distributed.
Community Engagement Clinic/Workshop held.
Winter 2020
- Ongoing community engagement with project team, technical experts and near neighbours
Spring 2020
- Community Engagement Clinic/Workshop with nearest neighbours postponed due to Covid-19 Public Health restrictions.
- All project updates and communications posted on website
Summer 2020
- Ongoing on-site EIAR survey investigations coming to a conclusion
- Ongoing engagement with nearest neighbours through alternative means available due to the Covid-19 pandemic safety restrictions
Winter 2020/2021
- Final Pre-Planning information Brochure distributed with access to a virtual Tour Exhibition.
EIAR and Planning documentation finalised - Planning Application submitted to Carlow County Council on January 15 2021
Spring 2021
- Planning application turned down by Carlow County Council
- Appeal submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Coillte Renewable Energy (now FuturEnergy Ireland)
Winter 2021/2022
- Request for Further Information (RFI) received from An Bord Pleanála (November 2021)
- All RFI documentation submitted to An Bord Pleanála (February 2022)
Spring 2023
- Appeal turned down by An Bord Pleanála
- Judicial review application lodged by FuturEnergy Ireland against the decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning for this project.
Autumn/Winter 2018
- Newsletter 1 Introducing the proposed project distributed.
Newsletter 2 with project updates distributed.
Spring/Summer 2019
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement process is ongoing, Shane recruited as CLO. Newsletter 3 distributed.
- Environmental Impact Assessment baseline studies begin.
Autumn/Winter 2019
- Iterative design process commences using feedback from environmental studies including grid route.
Newsletter 4 distributed.
Community Engagement Clinic/Workshop held.
Winter 2020
- Ongoing community engagement with project team, technical experts and near neighbours
Spring 2020
- Community Engagement Clinic/Workshop with nearest neighbours postponed due to Covid-19 Public Health restrictions.
- All project updates and communications posted on website
Summer 2020
- Ongoing on-site EIAR survey investigations coming to a conclusion
- Ongoing engagement with nearest neighbours through alternative means available due to the Covid-19 pandemic safety restrictions
Winter 2020/2021
- Final Pre-Planning information Brochure distributed with access to a virtual Tour Exhibition.
EIAR and Planning documentation finalised - Planning Application submitted to Carlow County Council on January 15 2021
Spring 2021
- Planning application turned down by Carlow County Council
- Appeal submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Coillte Renewable Energy (now FuturEnergy Ireland)
Winter 2021/2022
- Request for Further Information (RFI) received from An Bord Pleanála (November 2021)
- All RFI documentation submitted to An Bord Pleanála (February 2022)
Spring 2023
- Appeal turned down by An Bord Pleanála
- Judicial review application lodged by FuturEnergy Ireland against the decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning for this project.