Wind turbine delivery route proposed at Liscasey and Dehomad, Co. Clare

In context

It is one of 2 wind energy applications Clare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 53 nationally. Of the 77 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Clare County Council until 3 December 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 2 January 2027, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Clare County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for a 10-year permission for development of a windfarm at this site of ca. 138ha located entirely within the townlands of Liscasey and Dehomad, County Clare. Certain details of the proposed development are unconfirmed in the planning application, and an opinion on unconfirmed details from Clare County Council pursuant to Section 32I of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) accompanies this planning application. The details unconfirmed in this application are the blade tip height, rotor diameter and hub height of the wind turbines. The range of parameters within which the windfarm will be developed are specified in this site notice and in the Design Flexibility Opinion accompanying the planning application. The Proposed Development for which permission is sought will consist of renewable energy development comprising: • Construction of 6 no. wind turbines, each with an overall blade tip height of between 179.2m and 180m, a rotor diameter of between 149.1m and 150m, and a hub height of between 104.7m and 105m. • Construction of associated turbine hardstands, laydown areas and turbine foundations. • Construction of approximately 6.14km of new internal site access tracks with associated drainage infrastructure (including the upgrade of approximately 0.49km of existing forestry tracks) and on-site passing bays. • Construction of 1 no. new permanent site entrance from the N68, providing access to the proposed development site, inclusive of temporary works to facilitate the delivery of abnormal loads and turbine components. • The demolition of a single storey agricultural shed measuring ca. 41.3sqm, to facilitate the construction of a new on-site 38kV electrical substation; • Construction of a permanent on-site 38kV electrical substation within a compound measuring ca. 1,327 sqm, a substation building of ca. 161.7 sqm containing an MV Switchgear room, IPP control room, ESB control room, storeroom, office; a wind LiDAR system, 2 no. lightning masts, security fencing and gates, internal access, parking, underground cabling, and all ancillary structures and works. • Construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compound measuring ca. 1,828 sqm, comprising 20 no. BESS units, each containing one smart skid and four battery pods (each unit approximately 7.4m long, 2.7m wide and 4.1m high), 5 no. Medium Voltage Station (MVS) units (each approximately 8.3m long, 2.1 m wide and 3.0m high), associated plant and equipment, security fencing and gates, internal access, underground cabling, and all ancillary works. •Construction of underground 33kV internal collector cabling, including ancillary works, to connect the proposed windfarm to the proposed on-site 38kV substation. •Construction of 1no. temporary site office (ca.20sqm), 2 no temporary construction compounds (total area of ca.1.12ha) including site offices, welfare facilities, parking and storage areas. •Provision of on-site drainage and sediment control infrastructure which utilises Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), including the use of permeable surfaces, attenuation/detention basins, shallow ditches/swales, stone check dams and silt fences. •Construction of 2 no. on-site water course crossings with piped culverts. •Development of 3 no. temporary on-site construction borrow pits measuring total area of ca.0.72ha. • On-site forestry felling of between ca.35.99 to 36.02ha to facilitate the construction and operation of the development. • All associated site development works and habitat management measures including peatland restoration, marsh fritillary habitat management, forest-to-bog restoration, native hedgerow and treeline enhancement and establishment. • All associated infrastructure, services and siteworks including excavation, earthworks, peat and spoil management and landscaping. Permission is sought for a 35-year operational period from the date of commissioning of the final turbine and battery energy storage system, followed by decommissioning and site reinstatement. Permanent permission is sought for the on-site substation. A Turbine Delivery Route (TDR) has been assessed from Shannon Foynes Port via the L6188, N69, N18/M18,N85 and N68, and no works are required along the route other than the proposed permanent site entrance off the N68 outlined above. Two potential underground grid connection route (GCR) options outlined below and associated works do not form part of this planning application and will be the subject of a separate future planning application: • Option 1: An underground cable route of ca.18.16km connecting to the existing Prospect 220kV Substation within the townlands of Dehomad, Lisscasey, Gortygeeheen, Crag, Ballyduneen, Carrowreagh West, Derrynageeha, Derrynalecka, Moy, Derriniddane, Derryshaan, Derrygeeha, Prospect, Clonderalaw, Cloonarass, Ballygeery East and West. •Option 2: An underground cable route of ca.14.01km connecting to the Cranny 38kV Substation within the townlands of Dehomad, Liscasey, Gortygeeheen, Breaghva West, Leamnaleaha, Tonlegee, Lisnafaha, Craghera, Shessiv, Burrenfadda, Carrowreagh East. This planning application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) prepared in respect of the proposed development, in combination with the TDR and future GCR options as a single integrated project. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU)2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended shall apply