Single-turbine wind farm with 150m turbines proposed at Loan, Ireland, Co. Kilkenny

In context

It is one of 4 wind energy applications Kilkenny 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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

for construction of a Single Wind Turbine development on a 5.98-hectare site consisting of: - I. A single 4.26-megawatt (MW) wind turbine with an overall tip height of 150 metres, comprising a rotor diameter of 138m and a hub height 81m; II. Wind turbine foundation, crane hardstanding and assembly area; III. Temporary Construction Compound; IV. Upgrading and repositioning of existing farm entrance; V. Upgrading and widening of existing access track; VI. New access track; VII. An on-site 20kV electrical substation building; VIII. Electrical and communication cabling within private lands; IX. Underground 20kV grid connection within private lands and within the L5851 and the R426 public roads connecting to the existing ESB Castlecomer 38kV Substation; X. Hedge and tree removal, landscaping and reinstatement works; and XI. All associated ancillary works. The operational lifespan of the development will be 35-years from the date of commissioning. This Planning Application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). This Planning Application is not subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). 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 to 2025 shall apply.