EDF Renewables Ireland to host public exhibition for proposed Roscommon wind farm

EDF Renewables Ireland is announcing new details about its proposed Carrowkeel Wind Farm in County Roscommon, ahead of a public exhibition later this month.

The project, located approximately 14km north-west of Athlone, will have a generating capacity of c.24 megawatts (MWs), enough to power the equivalent of c.16,000 homes.[1]

If the development of the project, which will comprise up to four turbines with tip heights of up to 185m, is successful and goes ahead, a local Community Benefit Fund will be established. This independently administered fund will support local initiatives and activities. Money from similar funds associated with three EDF Renewables solar farms in Wexford and Kilkenny generated almost €50,000 for new local facilities and community groups last year. The public exhibition is set to take place in the Athleague Community Centre on 27 February.

The project was first announced in November 2023, and following this third round of public consultation with the local community, the project team intends to submit a planning application and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report in support of the project to Roscommon County Council in Summer 2025.

Subject to receiving planning permission, the wind farm is expected to be operational in 2029. The project will also include access tracks, a substation and battery storage facility, a temporary construction compound, a permanent meteorological mast, underground cabling and a grid connection which links the wind farm to the national electricity grid.

Paul Gallagher, Head of Onshore Technologies at EDF Renewables Ireland, said: "Since 2020 renewable energy projects have cut electricity bills by an average of €320 per person.[2] The more renewable energy projects we can deliver the more we can drive down bills, and we're looking forward to Carrowkeel contributing to that.

"We're committed to being good neighbours in the communities around all our projects and public consultation is a crucial part of that. At this public exhibition we'll be able to share detailed information about the project, its benefits and an update on progress with members of the local community."

"We have conducted thorough studies in the areas of environmental impact, geotechnical analysis and habitat assessment, and this is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project and provide feedback on our proposals."

"Roscommon can be proud of the contribution it's making to help achieve Ireland's national renewable energy targets. Currently wind farms in Roscommon have saved over 126,000 tonnes of carbon emissions that would otherwise have come from burning fossil fuels. In the process, those projects have invested over €200,000 in local Community Benefit Funds and contributed over €1.75m of Roscommon's commercial rates income.[3]

"Carrowkeel Wind Farm will contribute further to those impressive numbers and of course to Ireland's climate action target of delivering 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade. Projects like this are essential if Ireland is to increase its domestic security of supply and lower energy costs. We would encourage as many people as possible to attend the exhibition and speak to us about the project."

The public exhibition will be held at Athleague Community Centre from 2pm to 7pm on 27 February. It will feature information about the project and the environmental surveys completed to date, photomontages illustrating the visual impact of the turbines from local viewpoints, details of the project timeline and information on other aspects of wind energy. There is no need to register in advance and all are welcome to attend. A virtual exhibition will also be available to view at www.edf-re.ie/our-sites/carrowkeel

To find out more about Carrowkeel Wind Farm visit www.edf-re.ie/our-sites/carrowkeel or contact the project team at [email protected]

[1] https://www.seai.ie/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2022.pdf

[2] 20250114-finalbaringaweigoodforyourpocket-.pdf

[3] https://windenergyireland.com/about-wind/wind-energy-by-county