SSE Renewables seeks public feedback on Mayo wind farms

MEMBERS of the public in Mayo are being encouraged to have their say on the proposed Sheskin South Wind Farm and Glenora Wind Farm as public consultation on both projects gets underway from Monday, November 15.

The proposed wind farms, which are being developed by leading renewable energy developers SSE Renewables and Coillte Renewable Energy, will together have the capability to generate more than 258MW of green energy.

The proposed Sheskin South Wind-Farm development site is located approximately 6.7 km northeast of Bangor Erris and 11km south of the Atlantic coast and falls entirely within the townland of Sheskin.

If constructed as proposed, it will comprise up to 21 wind turbines. When completed, the onshore wind farm will generate up to 126MW of renewables electricity, have the potential to power almost 83,000 homes annually and offset over 88,000 tonnes of harmful CO2.

The proposed Glenora Wind Farm site is located to the south of Maumakeogh Mountain, approximately 7km southwest of Ballycastle and 6km southeast of Belderrig. Once operational it will comprise up to 22 wind turbines. When completed the onshore wind farm will generate up to 132MW, have the potential to power almost 87,000 homes annually and offset over 93,100 tonnes of harmful CO2.

As part of the Climate Action Plan, the government has introduced the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) to promote the generation of electricity from renewable sources by providing financial support to renewable electricity projects in Ireland. All projects supported by RESS must establish a Community Benefit Fund to be used for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the local community. If successful in the RESS process, the proposed Community Fund for both wind farms could be up to €700,000 each per annum.

SSE Renewables is proposing to invest up to €280 million in both Sheskin South Wind Farm and Glenora Wind Farm. Once operational each wind farm will create approximately eight jobs to support their day-to-day running. These jobs will be sustained over the operational lifespan of the wind farm.

Subject to Covid-19 guidance, the public consultations will be online and details of the projects are being shared via https://www.glenorawindfarm.com/ and https://www.sheskinsouthwindfarm.com/. This virtual approach offers a complete overview of each project including a digital brochure, photomontages of the proposed developments, and a feedback form where comments and opinions can be submitted.

As part of the public consultation process, the SSE Renewables team and its dedicated community liaison officer will work with local communities and stakeholders to gather feedback and local information that will inform the project.

Maria Ryan, director of development for Great Britain and Ireland, SSE Renewables, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this wealth of information about Sheskin South Wind Farm and Glenora Wind Farm with communities in County Mayo. It is really important that local stakeholders get an opportunity to engage and share their views on the projects ahead of us submitting applications to An Bord Pleanála which will allow the projects to proceed.

“While Covid-19 has limited our ability to host large face-to-face events, our dedicated project website and self-guided online exhibitions will offer a variety of ways for people to learn more about the projects and to arrange meetings with the project team, and to provide feedback to us.”

For further information contact community liaison officer Tom Burke on (086) 0421776 or at clo@sse.com.