Project Being Considered
A natural step in the evolution of locally generated electricity
An area centred around the townland of Drehid in north Co. Kildare was identified as having the potential for the development of a suitable and appropriate wind farm development. Design works, surveys and consultation with the local community were carried out with the view to identifying how a project would work best in this area and bring the most benefit to the local community. A planning application was lodged for this proposal to Kildare County Council (KCC) in December 2018. A request for further information was received from KCC in February 2019. This requested information was submitted in October 2019 for review by the planning authority. Please click on the Further Information Responses link on the left to view this information.
We would like you to tell us how you think this proposal could work best and how it could deliver real benefits for the local area.
This proposal has the potential to assist in delivering initiatives that would ensure that locally generated electricity will support local communities providing increased economic, environmental and social sustainability.
LOCATION
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Drehid Wind Farm at a Glance:
- This project would supply renewable energy to the Irish electricity grid system.
- 12 turbines.
- 640m set back to homes in the wider area.
- Zero Shadow Flicker – A commitment has been made to eliminate Shadow Flicker at homes in the area.
- A capacity to power approx. 32,400 homes with green electricity.
- All cables will be laid underground.
- There will be an onsite substation.
- Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, temporary site compound, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect the proposed project to the local Dunfirth substation.
- A significant community benefits package to include:
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- Direct return – The value of an average yearly electricity bill (€1,114) will be available annually for all houses who are within 1km of the proposal.
- Greener Living Initiative – An annual fund to be set aside to assist those who would like to lower their carbon footprint and bring their energy bills down.
- Increased Community Fund – This proposal under the new Renewable Energy Support Scheme would attract over €250,000/year in funding for the local area.
- Investment Opportunity – We would like to talk to people who may be interested in investing in this wind farm and getting a return from it. Under the new Renewable Energy Support Scheme, a community investment opportunity would be available for anyone within 10km of the proposal with priority being given to those within 5km.
- Rates to the local county council of up to €290,000 per annum.
- A local business support scheme to ensure that local businesses are facilitated and assisted in securing valuable contracts during construction and operation.
- Approximately 65 jobs will be created during the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed project.
VIEW FURTHER INFORMATION RESPONSE DOCUMENTS
Design Changes at a Glance:
- Fewer Turbines – 12 turbines are now being considered.
- No Shadow Flicker – A commitment to Zero Shadow Flicker at all homes in the area.
- Further away – Turbines have been moved further away from homes. The distance to homes in the wider area has increased from 500m to 640m. There are now 86 houses within 1km. 60 of these would be 800m or more from a turbine (previously there were 180 houses within 1km).
- The distance to homes in the wider area has increased from 500m to 640m.
Local Electricity Generation
Locally generated electricity has brought many benefits to many areas in rural Ireland for many years. A significant number of jobs were brought to these areas through the harvesting of peat and there has been a significant economic gain from the production of electricity. Electricity generation in Ireland is transitioning and the energy that we are using is switching from fossil fuels including peat and coal to renewable forms of energy. This transition is our best way of taking effective action on climate change.
The potential to extract local economic and societal gain remains with the development of renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Areas that develop renewable energy projects will have the potential to benefit from substantial community benefit funds which will often equate to multi-million-euro investments in local rural areas. At Statkraft, we believe that local communities should play a major role in determining how these funds should be used to maximise the benefit in the local area.
Locally generated electricity can continue to support locally-based employment and locally-based community groups!
The communities in the area around the proposed Drehid Wind Farm have an opportunity to consider such a renewable project and how, if granted planning permission, this proposal could make a real difference to the local area. The fundamental principle of our community benefit packages is that we seek to work with local people to deliver increased environmental, economic and social sustainability to local communities. We would be very interested in hearing what ideas you have on how this wind farm could deliver the most benefit to you and your local area.
We would like you to tell us how you feel the local area could benefit from this proposal
The proposed wind farm has the potential to assist in delivering initiatives to ensure that locally generated electricity will support the local communities. This proposal has the potential to provide the youth in the area with a better future and to extract local gain that can provide benefit for all.
