Proposed 17 turbine wind farm would contribute up to 130 construction jobs and more than €10 million in community funding to the area
FuturEnergy Ireland and SSE Renewables have submitted a planning application for Cummeennabuddoge Wind Farm to An Bord Pleanála. The renewable energy co-development project is located on a site located 5km northwest of Ballyvourney near the Co. Cork/Kerry county bounds.
The planning application was made by Cummeennabuddoge Wind DAC. If approved and constructed as proposed, the 17-turbine wind farm would have an installed capacity of up to 122 megawatts (MW) and would be capable of generating enough green energy to power an estimated 81,900 homes annually*. The project would successfully displace close to 4.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions** over the lifetime of the project.
Cummeennabuddoge Wind Farm has much to offer the local area. The project would support local employment, it would contribute annual rates to local authorities and provide a Community Benefit Fund. Cummeennabuddoge has the potential to produce up to 375,000 MWh of electricity a year, making a major contribution to Ireland achieving its 2030 climate targets. The project would contribute an estimated €690,000 per annum to a Community Benefit Fund with an overall lifetime fund of more than €10 million. Local authority rates contributions are estimated at around €1 million annually while the construction period could support up to 130 jobs.
This planning submission comes after extensive consultation with local communities which began in winter 2020, led by the project’s Community Liaison Officer Brendan Twomey.
The delivery of Cummeennabuddoge Wind Farm will be subject to the project receiving the necessary planning consents, securing a route to market, and a final investment decision by the project’s co-development partners.
Dave O’Sullivan, Project Manager at FuturEnergy Ireland, said:
“Together with our project partner SSE Renewables, FuturEnergy Ireland is extremely pleased to announce the submission of Cummeennabuddoge Wind Farm into planning. Today marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainably delivering a cleaner future for Ireland. This project underscores our unwavering dedication to harnessing the power of Ireland’s rich renewable resources, driving positive climate change and shaping a greener future for generations to come.”
Gordon Kyle, Lead Project Development Manager for SSE Renewables, said:
“We are delighted to have worked closely with FuturEnergy Ireland on the planning submission for Cummeennabuddoge Wind Farm, marking another milestone for the co-development portfolio, and is testament to the strong partnership between both companies. We look forward to the delivery of further renewable energy projects with FuturEnergy Ireland, from Donegal to Cork, all of which will be crucial as Ireland continues its journey to net-zero.”
Once validated, all documents will be available to view at www.cummeennabuddogeplanning.ie, on An Bord Pleanála’s website www.pleanala.ie and in the offices of Cork County Council and Kerry County Council.
For more information about this project, please contact Community Liaison Officer Brendan Twomey at cummeennabuddoge@futurenergyireland.ie or on 087 971 2151. All project information is available at www.cummeennabuddogewindfarm.ie.
* Quoted 81,900 (81,906) homes powered based on projected average installed capacity, typical projected wind load factor of 35%, and typical annual consumption (4,200kWh).
** Carbon displacement figure of 4.4 million tonnes based on average installed capacity and calculated using the Scottish Government’s ‘Carbon Calculator Tool v1.7.0’.
Caption: Lenalea Wind Farm in Co. Donegal is another renewable energy project in the portfolio being developed by FuturEnergy Ireland and SSE Renewables
ENDS
Editor’s Notes
About FuturEnergy Ireland
FuturEnergy Ireland is a leading Irish wind developer established in 2021 as a stand-alone joint venture between Coillte and the ESB. The company was formed with an aim to maximise the potential of Ireland’s unique wind and land resources and accelerate Ireland’s transformation to a low carbon energy economy.
FuturEnergy Ireland is targeting the delivery of 1GW of renewable energy by 2030 through the development of high-quality onshore wind and battery storage projects. These projects would power an estimated 730,000 homes annually, make a significant contribution to Ireland’s commitment to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by the end of this decade, and deliver material emissions reductions. www.futurenergyireland.ie
About SSE Renewables
SSE Renewables is a leading developer and operator of renewable energy in Ireland, operating some of the largest onshore wind farms on the island, including the 174MW Galway Wind Park in Connemara and the 73MW Slieve Kirk Wind Park outside Derry City. Part of SSE plc, the FTSE-listed energy infrastructure company, its strategy is to lead the transition to a net zero future through the world-class development, construction and operation of clean power assets across a diverse mix of renewable technologies.
SSE Renewables is investing around €8bn to 2027, or almost €4.5m a day on average, to support the delivery of SSE’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme to address climate change head on. This includes plans to increase installed renewable energy capacity to around 9GW by 2027, including the delivery of the world’s largest onshore wind farm in construction.
SSE Renewables has a team of around 2,000 renewable energy professionals based across the UK and Ireland, Continental Europe, and Japan, all committed to delivering the green energy the world needs now and in the future.
Press queries
For press queries please contact Janine Thomas, Communications and Media Manager at FuturEnergy Ireland, on Janine.thomas@futurenergyireland.ie
