Galway County Council grants permission for wind farm grid connection works at Letter, Moycullen, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 3 wind energy applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 60 nationally. Of the 84 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 12 October 2023. 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 Galway County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for a 10-year permission for development at this site at Letter, Moycullen, Co. Galway. This site is located within a Gaeltacht area. The proposed development will consist of the provision of a synchronous condenser, enclosed within a building (12.5 metres high) with associated plant and apparatus, transformers, circuit breakers, modular electrical control containers, air compressor, cooling equipment, underground cabling (including 110kV connection to the adjacent Buffy substation (within Ardderroo Wind Farm), lightning protection poles, perimeter security fencing, drainage, landscaping, temporary construction compound, access tracks (new and upgrade of existing), all ancillary site development works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development. *** Tá sé ar intinn ag Buffy Letter Limited iarratas deich mbliana a dhéanamh ar chead chun forbairt a dhéanamh ag an suíomh seo Leitir, Maigh Cuilinn i gCo. na Gaillimhe. Tá an suíomhsuite i gceantar Gaeltachta. Is éard a bheidh san fhorbairt atá beartaithe ná comhdhlúthadán sioncronach a sholáthar, iata laistigh d’fhoirgneamh (12.5 méadar ar airde) le planda gaolmhar agus gaireas, claochladáin, scoradáin chiorcaid, coimeádáin rialaithe leictreach modúlach, comhbhrúiteoir aeir, trealamh fuaraithe, cáblaí faoi thalamh lena n-áirítear ceangal 110kV le fostáisiún Buffy in aice leis (laistigh de Ardderroo Wind Farm), cuaillí cosanta tintreach, fálú slándála imlíne, draenáil, tírdhreachú, bábhún tógála sealadach, rianta rochtana (nua agus uasghrádú atá ann cheana féin), gach obair fhorbartha choimhdeach ar an suíomh. Ullmhaíodh Ráiteas Tionchair Natura (NIS) i ndáil leis an bhforbairt atá beartaithe