Wind farm grid connection works proposed at Askakeagh Ballymanus Killaduff Roddenagh, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 2 wind energy applications Wicklow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 62 nationally. Of the 85 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Wicklow County Council until 28 September 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 19 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

RED III application Level 1 - consist of a ten year planning permission to develop an electricity service, entailing the laying of approximately 23.9 kilometers of 38kV cable from the consented Ballymanus Wind Farm (Reg. Ref. 17/814) to connect the wind farm to the national grid at the existing Arklow 220kV ESB Station, County Wicklow, the proposed grid connection will be installed within existing private tracks and public roadway and include, provision of joint bays, draw pits, communication chambers, three phase electrical cables, optical fibre cables and cable sheath sectionalising chambers, water and rail crossings by (i) bridge crossings, (ii) horizontal directional drilling and iii) guided auger bore, limited ancillary forestry felling to facilitate construction and operation of the proposed development, reinstatement of land, road and track surface above the proposed cabling trench, all associated ancillary works. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and will be submitted with the application. 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, as amended, When a notice issues in accordence with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply