Environmental protection

FuturEnergy Ireland and Ørsted take pride in our leadership position among wind farm developers in Ireland. We work hard to ensure that we are best in class and that our developments reflect this. Environmental protection including preservation of biodiversity is at the core of our sustainable business practices from commercial forestry through to wind farm development. We ensure that our projects conform to or exceed all statutory requirements and best practice guidelines in relation to environmental protection.

Environmental Studies

Wind farm planning applications must include an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The aim of the report is to present a detailed study of how the proposed Ballinagree Wind Farm project may impact on the local area across a series of topics such as; biodiversity, landscape, water, population and human health. Each topic forms a standalone chapter in the EIAR.

An established protocol exists for developing an EIAR, beginning with collecting baseline data across the proposed development area. Once a final layout is confirmed, the potential impact of each turbine and the full wind farm is defined. This is reviewed across each topic of the EIAR and appropriate decisions are made surrounding amendments to design or mitigating strategies where required.

These impacts and strategies form the EIAR which is submitted to the relevant planning authority. The relevant planning authority often attaches planning conditions based on the information set out in the EIAR.

The proposed Ballinagree Wind Farm EIAR will cover a number of topics, including:

• Population and Human Health

• Biodiversity

• Land

• Soil

• Water

• Air

• Climate

• Material Assets

• Cultural Heritage

• Landscape

 

Estimated Project Development Time

Jul 2017

General ecological studies began in the wider study area

Nov 2017

Initial landowner discussions began in the area.

Jul 2019

Door-to-door engagement begins with the local community

Oct 2019

Local landowner discussion concluded

Oct 2019

Meteorological wind measuring mast scoping studies progress

Nov 2019

Meteorological wind measuring mast erection

Dec 2019

Environmental impact assessment project team appointed

Dec 2019

Detailed environmental and engineering studies begin

Jun 2020

Grid Route and turbine delivery route assessment progressed

Jun 2020

Site Layout Iteration 1

Nov 2020

Site Layout Iteration 2

Apr 2021

Site Layout Iteration 3

Aug 2021

Final design layout. Publish detailed project brochure and virtual exhibition

Oct 2021

Hold information webinar on Thursday October 7 at 7pm for the local community.

Jan 2022

Planning application submitted to An Bord Pleanála