Kerry County Council grants permission for wind farm grid connection works at Aghanagran Lower, Co. Kerry

In context

It is the only wind energy application Kerry County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 63 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 23 January 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

A new grid connection route connecting the permitted Ballylongford windfarm (Kerry County Council planning ref 19/381) ( An Bord Pleanala ref- PL08.304807) at Aghanagran Middle And Lower, Ballyline West And Tullahennel South, Ballylongford, to the proposed 38kVsubstation (Kerry County Council planning ref 23/431) at Tullamore, Listowel, Co Kerry. The route will entail the installation of approximately 7.3km of 38kv underground electric cable passing through townlands of Aghanagran Lower, Ballyline West, Kilgarvan, Coolkeragh, and Tullamore in County, Kerry The proposed grid route is proposed to be via underground cables located along the public roads : L10028, R552, and L-1009, and private property. The new grid route is a change a previously granted permission for a 12.1km grid connection route (Kerry County Council planning ref 20/438) ( An Bord Pleanala ref- PL08308643) from the permitted wind farm to the 38kva /110kva substation at Kilpaddoge, Tarbert. The proposal includes alterations to the permitted windfarm (Kerry County Council planning ref 19/381) ( An Bord Pleanala ref- PL08.304807), the permitted 38 kV substation at the wind farm is to be relocated and redesigned. The altered substation proposal will be located in a new substation compound that includes a control building, and all associated electrical plant and apparatus, fencing, and an access track within the townland of Aghanagran Lower. The proposed substation at the windfarm will be connected to the windfarm via underground cabling from Turbine T4. The project includes all ancillary and associated works necessary to facilitate the development, including three temporary construction compounds. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompanies this application.