Cork wind farm development secures planning approval
From Coom Eirgrid Operational To Be Subject Potentially 2027, Approvals Energy Can Green The Park By
Danish energy company Ørsted and FuturEnergy Ireland have secured planning permission for a new onshore wind power development in Coom, Co Cork, with the potential to deliver power to up to 80,000 homes.
With the project receiving planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, the next step in the process is to apply for a grid connection from EirGrid, after which the site can be submitted into future Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESSS) auctions or the power can be sold through corporate power purchase agreements.
The Coom Green Energy Park can potentially be operational by 2027. The project is expected to deliver 121 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy and includes provision for 50 MW of energy storage.
Ørsted already has a number of onshore wind farms operating in Ireland but TJ Hunter, senior director at the company, said that this development at Coom will be “our highest-output onshore wind farm in Ireland”.
The development is split 50:50 between Ørsted and FuturEnergy Ireland. FuturEnergy Ireland is a joint venture owned by ESB and Coillte.
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The project also comes with a community benefit fund which consists of near-neighbour contributions and a wider community fund that provides direct local project funding.
An annual contribution of around €500,000 for the first 15 years will be made once the site is operational.
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