Planning granted for new north Mayo wind farm
SSE and FuturEnergy Ireland have welcomed the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant planning permission for the development of Glenora Wind Farm in north Mayo.
The proposed Glenora Wind Farm comprises 22 onshore wind turbines to be installed on a site in Glenora, located around 7km southwest of Ballycastle and 6km southeast of Belderrig.
With a projected export capacity of up to 158MW of green energy, Glenora Wind Farm could play a vital role in powering Irish homes and businesses and in contributing to Ireland’s climate action, energy affordability and security of supply goals.
If delivered, the project would be expected to create significant local employment opportunities, with up to 120 jobs estimated at peak construction and up to three long-term jobs supported during its operational phase. Additionally, a multi-million-euro community benefit fund would be established upon the wind farm entering commercial operation.
Final delivery of Glenora Wind Farm will be subject to the project securing planning consent for associated grid infrastructure and a grid connection, as well as a commercial route to market and final investment decisions by SSE and FuturEnergy Ireland.
Ghislain Demeuldre, head of onshore wind, solar and battery development at SSE Renewables, said: “Mayo and the north-west is home to an extraordinary wind energy resource. This decision marks another step forward for the project and the SSE-FuturEnergy Ireland portfolio.
“Glenora Wind Farm has the potential to bring huge economic benefits to north Mayo through job creation, community benefit funding and commercial rates payments to Mayo County Council.
“For projects like Glenora Wind Farm to reach their full potential, investment in grid infrastructure in the north-west is essential. We are eager to collaborate with all the local, regional and national stakeholders, including the system operators and business development agencies, to tackle grid challenges and unlock the region’s full potential and economic development.”
Mary Lynch, delivery director at FuturEnergy Ireland, said: “Planning consent for Glenora Wind Farm is an extremely positive outcome for north Mayo and for Ireland’s clean energy transition. With the capacity to generate up to 158MW of renewable electricity, the project can make a meaningful contribution to powering homes and businesses while strengthening Ireland’s energy security.
“This decision marks an important step towards delivering resilient, low-carbon energy infrastructure in the region.”
Glenora Wind Farm is a 50:50 co-development project between SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland and part of a co-development portfolio consisting of six projects in counties Donegal, Cork, Kerry and Mayo. Included among these projects are the proposed 18-turbine Sheskin South Wind Farm near Bangor Erris in north Mayo which was granted planning consent in March 2024, as well as the 58MW Drumnahough Wind Farm in rural upland Donegal, which recently entered construction.