Planning approval for Irish wind farm

SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland have received planning approval for the Sheskin South Wind Farm in County Mayo, Ireland.

Ireland's national independent planning body, An Bord Pleanála, granted planning permission last week.

The onshore wind development, which received consent for 18 turbines with a maximum tip height of 200 metres, is located approximately 6.7 km northeast of Bangor Erris and 11km south of the Atlantic coastline.

Tom Coleman, development project manager for SSE Renewables, said:  “Delivery of this project will not only boost Ireland’s energy independence and provide cheaper, cleaner, more secure, homegrown electricity it will be crucial to achieving Ireland’s net zero targets, deliver clear economic benefits, through jobs and supply chain opportunities, whilst the associated community benefit fund will have a direct impact on the local community.

“To deliver on the ambition of the project, we need to see more action on grid investment in the north-west. 

“We will continue to work with the Government and EirGrid to address grid challenges in the region. We also look forward to working with the local community and our co-development partners FuturEnergy Ireland to take the project to the next stage.”

Mary Lynch, portfolio director at FuturEnergy Ireland, added: “The delivery of the Sheskin South project will contribute significantly to FuturEnergy Ireland’s ambition to develop 1GW of wind energy projects by 2030, and in doing so support Ireland’s climate targets, strengthen our energy security, and reduce electricity bills for all.”

During construction, Sheskin South Wind Farm will generate approximately 100 to 120 jobs along with significant supply chain opportunities for the area. 

The project partners are also committed to delivering a Community Benefit Fund which will deliver hundreds of thousands of euro annually to the local community. 

The fund will be established when the wind farm enters commercial operation and will support local community groups and projects.

Sheskin South Wind Farm is a 50:50 co-development between SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland. 

The progression of the project is dependent on a final investment decision. A proposed grid connection planning application, in addition to a turbine delivery route application, is scheduled to be submitted later this year.

The project adds to the co-development partners’ pipeline of projects, which includes the seven turbine, 30MW Lenalea Wind Farm which reached full power and connected to the national grid in late 2023, with plans for the proposed 12 turbine, 60MW Drumnahough Wind Farm at an advanced stage.

Both projects are located in Donegal.