Wind farm grid connection works proposed at TOWNPARKS & BALLYHANNA, BALLYSHANNON, Co. Donegal

In context

It is one of 8 wind energy applications Donegal County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 52 nationally. Of the 78 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Donegal County Council until 8 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 7 January 2027, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

COMPLETION OF A 38KV GRID CONNECTION REQUIRED TO CONNECT THE PERMITTED DERRYKILLEW WIND FARM TO THE EXISTING CATHALEEN'S FALL 110KV SUBSTATION INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENT WORKS: (1) CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A PERMANENT C13.2M HIGH 63D LINE-CABLE INTERFACE MAST LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN EMBANKMENT OF THE RIVER ERNE, (2) CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 41M OF ACCESS TRACK INCLUDING TURNING AREA FROM THE EXISTING PAVED AREA TO THE BASE OF THE MAST, (3) COMPLETION OF A 130M LONG 38KV OVERHEAD LINE CROSSING OF THE RIVER ERNE, COMPRISING OF AN APPROXIMATELY 88M SECTION OF OVERHEAD LINE PROPOSED AS PART OF THE PROPOSED GRID DEVELOPMENT, EXTENDING FROM THE PERMITTED LINE-CABLE INTERFACE POINT ON THE NORTHERN EMBANKMENT (GRANTED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 23/50892) TO THE PROPOSED LINE-CABLE INTERFACE MAST ON THE SOUTHERN EMBANKMENT, (4) CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A PERMANENT C270M SECTION OF 38KV UNDERGROUND GRID CONNECTION CABLING FROM THE PROPOSED SOUTHERN LINE-CABLE INTERFACE MAST TO THE EXISTING CATHALEEN’S FALL 110KV SUBSTATION, (5) TEMPORARY MAST LAYDOWN AND ASSEMBLY AREA, (6) TEMPORARY CRANE HARDSTANDING/PAD AND (7) ALL ASSOCIATED EXCAVATION, FOUNDATIONS, DRAINAGE, AND REINSTATEMENT AND ANCILLARY SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS. AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIAR) ADDENDUM ACCOMPANIES THIS APPLICATION. THE DEVELOPMENT IS COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE (RED III) RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE III (DIRECTIVE (EU) 2023/2413)