Seventeen-turbine wind farm planned near Limerick town

PLANS are being developed for a massive 17-turbine wind farm in county Limerick.

Ballinlee Green Energy has kicked off talks with An Bord Pleanala and other agencies on the project which is being earmarked for across a number of different townlands in the wider Bruff and Dromin-Athlacca areas.

The firm says if it goes ahead, more than 80 new jobs will be created, and there will be a community benefit fund of €350,000 every year.

In a statement released to Limerick Live, the company added it would provide clean power for around 42,000 homes each year, while offsetting carbon emissions by around 175,000 tonnes per annum.

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Ballinlee Green Energy - based in Adare - has said while the project is in the early stages of pre-planning, a public engagement process is expected to get under way in the new year.

“The global community is facing an urgent climate crisis, and the transition to renewable energy sources is an essential step toward mitigating its impact. Ireland, like many countries has committed to reducing its carbon emissions and increasing its renewable energy capacity,” a spokesperson for the firm said.

“The Ballinlee wind farm project is one of many proposed renewable energy projects across Ireland which will harness this great resource, enable a move away from fossil fuels and reduce harmful emissions,” the spokesperson added.

The site which has been identified covers the townlands of Ballincurra, Ballinlee South, Ballingayrour, Ballinbea, Knockuregare, Ballinlee North and Camas South.

These, the firm says, have been designated as ‘preferred’ for wind energy development in the council’s latest development plan.

This is a strategy which governs what can be developed, and where, across the whole county.

Ballinlee Green Energy acknowledged a number of variables still remain on the project which is in its early stages.

Sinn Fein councillor for Cappamore-Kilmallock PJ Carey welcomed the fact pre-planning meetings are taking place - but said he would prefer to see wind farms located in more remote areas like mountains.

“Ultimately though, they do reduce fossil fuel and energy imports. So it is the way to go,” he said.