Project Development Cycle
It is important to understand the length of time it takes to develop a wind farm project. Renewable energy projects generally take anywhere from 6-10 years from project initiation to start of operation. The reason for this can mainly be attributed to the complexity of the development and delivery cycle – obtaining planning permission, securing a grid connection, securing project finance and a guaranteed contract to sell the power.
Within the overall development cycle, the task of designing and making a submission for planning permission can take between 12 and 18 months.
Our Core Principles
- Fighting the Climate Crisis
- Rural Regeneration
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Protecting the Environment
1. Concept Phase
We continuously look at Coillte lands and seek opportunities for renewable energy development.
What’s happening
A land screening process that considers:
- The wind resource on our lands.
- County Development Plan designation.
- Proximity to grid infrastructure.
- Site size after applying a buffer of 750 metres or four times the tip height to dwellings.
- Undertaking specific targeted studies on high potential sites to further de-risk and to identify the very best for progression.
- Potentially increasing a site’s suitability by bringing in adjacent neighbouring lands.
Who we engage with and how
This is primarily a desk-based exercise that is informed by national, regional and local climate and energy policies and targets. In this step, we may engage with policymakers, land owners and others seeking to start similar developments.
2. Project Design Phase
Following widespread local engagement and detailed site surveys, we design the wind farm layout respecting environmental sensitivities and residents who live nearby.
Activity &
Stakeholder Engagement
Process
Appointment of an Environmental Impact Assessment consultant
- Initial project newsletter distributed to wider area outlining project site, team, timeline and contact details.
- Project website goes live.
- First door-to-door consultation within 2km of site.
- Dedicated team assigned to the project, including a Project Manager and local Community Liaison Officer.
Design Version 1: Initial turbine layout
- Newsletter to all dwellings within 2km plus to local councillors.
- Second door-to-door consultation within the 2km zone.
- Begin potential Recreation Plan design with local stakeholders.
Design Version 2: Updated turbine layout
- Studies, surveys and feedback inform a second turbine layout design that is shared along with all project updates in a newsletter delivered to the wider area and posted on the website.
- Commence discussions on Community Benefit Fund with local stakeholders.
Design Version 3: Final turbine layout
- Virtual Exhibition launched, which includes surveys, reports and photomontages of the turbines from different viewpoints.
- Brochure delivered within the 5km zone and uploaded on website.
- Briefing with the county council.
- Community Engagement Clinics/Webinars take place.
Planning application preparation
- Final consultations with interested stakeholders.
Planning application submission
- Planning documentation uploaded on to dedicated project planning website for public viewing.
3. Pre Construction Phase
We secure approval from EirGrid to connect to the national grid, secure a route to market for selling the electricity generated and finalise the business proposition, including relevant funding model. In parallel, we undertake pre-construction environmental surveys and work in collaboration with the local community to design the benefit fund and minimise disruption.
Activity &
Stakeholder Engagement
Process
Design Community Benefit Fund and Recreational Amenity
- Initial consultations with home owners within 2km, local community groups and political representatives.
- Establish a local committee to run the Community Benefit Fund (CBF) and develop a long-term strategic plan assisted by a facilitator.
- Skills training and mentorship provided to the CBF committee.
- Finalise core recreational offering on site, as appropriate.
Prepare the local business community for potential service provision opportunities
- “Meet the buyer” events held in local venues to present service requirements of the project to local businesses.
Pre-construction engagement
- Regular newsletter to residents and businesses within the 2km zone, along the transport delivery route and the grid route, outlining the construction process.
- Development of Traffic Management Plan in consultation with local authority.
- Formation of project community liaison group.
4. Construction Phase
We construct the wind farm to the highest standards while minimising impacts on the host community and the environment.
Activity
Site establishment
- Establish construction site compounds and offices.
- Circulate project newsletter that sets out expected construction works programme.
- Share contact details for our dedicated Community Liaison Officer who will be a local point of contact for questions and queries.
Project construction
- Secure abnormal load permits including agreement of all necessary traffic management and safety procedures.
- Inform local residents of any potential traffic disruption as a result of the work.
- Construct access roads, crane pads, site substation, internal electrical ducting and turbine foundations.
- Complete connection works to the national grid system.
- Construction of turbine foundations, delivery of components to site and erection of turbines.
- Commission turbines.
Establish Community Benefit Fund and Recreational Amenity
- Continue working with the Community Benefit Fund Committee to prepare for launch of fund.
- As the wind farm nears the end of construction, core recreational amenities are added to the site, as appropriate.
5. Operational Phase
The wind farm produces clean, green electricity and shares the financial benefits with the host community.*
Activity &
Stakeholder Engagement
Process
Energy production: wind farm operation, monitoring and maintenance
- Periodic community liaison group meetings with the operator and Community Liaison Officer (CLO).
- CLO available to respond to community queries.
- Regular updates available on wind farm website.
Community Benefit Fund
- Local community committee runs the annual fund with the support of a trusted intermediary.
- The community committee makes decisions annually regarding fund allocations for the benefit of the wider area.
6. Decommissioning Phase
We remove installed turbines and infrastructure.
Activity
Consultation with local authority planning office
- Assess re-powering potential of existing wind farm.
- If re-powering is an option, recommence at phase 1. If not, submit decommissioning plan to local authority for approval.
Decommissioning process
- Community Liason Officer available as key point of contact for local residents during decommissioning.
- An updated Traffic Management Plan is in place for equipment removal.
- Dismantle turbines and hardstands.
- All materials are re-used or recycled wherever possible.
- Reinstate the site to former state.
