Cork County Council grants permission for wind turbine delivery route at Drimoleague, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 8 wind energy applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 61 nationally. Of the 85 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 14 April 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

Permission for a windfarm development at this site within the townland of Derrenacrinnig West. The proposed Grid Connection traverses the townlands of Derreenacrinnig West, Barnagowlane West, Glanareagh, Gortnacowly, Ards Beg, Ardrah, Laharanshermeen, Maulraha, Maulikeeve, Derryarkane, Cappanaboul, Skahanagh, Gortroe, Shandrum Beg, Shandrum More, Dromloughlin, Ballylickey, Crossoge. Temporary works will be required to accommodate the delivery of the turbine components. These temporary works are included as part of this application and are located in the townlands of Castledonovan, Derreenacrinnig East, and Derreenacrinnig West. The development will consist of: Construction of 3 no. wind turbines with an overall ground to blade tip height of 119.3m with a rotor diameter of 82m and a hub height of 78.3m. Construction of 1 no. permanent 20 kV Electrical Substation, all associated electrical plant and equipment, all associated underground cabling, and all ancillary structures and works. Construction of one Temporary Construction Compound with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing. Upgrade and reuse of existing hardstands. Upgrade and reuse of existing internal site access roads. Provision of Biodiversity Enhancement Area. All associated underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines to the wind farm Electrical Substation. Construction of approximately 10.75 km of 20kV overhead line (OHL) Grid Connection, the OHL to be constructed consists of c. 157 wood poles (ranging from 9m to 15m above ground) supporting electrical conductor lines and ancillary structures and equipment. Installation of approximately 3.3km of underground cable ducting Grid Connection and associated electrical cabling, and all other ancillary works including joint bays, culverts, marker posts and all associated developments. Construction Haul Route works along the L-8767, L-4711 and L-8765. A 10 year permission and a 40 year operational period from the date of overall commissioning of the entire wind farm is being sought. However, part of the substation and all of the Grid Connection will be owned and operated by ESB networks and as part of the national grid infrastructure, their life can extend beyond the life of the windfarm. Accordingly, permission is sought for the Grid Connection and substation in perpetuity. The development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive 2023/2413). This planning application is subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended. apply. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) has been prepared and will be submitted with the application. The planning application and EIAR may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Norton House, Cork Road, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. P81AT28 during its public opening hours, I.e. 9.00am to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). A submission or observation in relation to the application and EIAR may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.