Offaly Wind Farm shortlisted for Irish planning award

THE Monavane Wind Farm which is currently under construction in Offaly has been shortlisted for an Irish Planning Award.

The all-island professional membership body for spatial planners has shortlisted 39 entries for this year's awards which is returning for the first time since 2020.

The Monavane Wind Farm has been nominated in the President's Award Category.

The awards aim to highlight innovation and excellence in Irish Planning.

The Monavane Wind Farm is located between Cloneygowan and Walsh Island.

When fully constructed it will consist of 12 turbines. A spokesperson said they have almost completed the component delivery.

The project is due to supply renewable electricity for the Irish Electricity Grid System for use in Ireland.

Kevin O’Donovan, Managing Director of Statkraft Ireland who are responsible for the project, said: “We’re delighted that Moanvane Wind Farm has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. Ensuring that this project will deliver for the local community has been to the forefront of consideration from the earliest stages. With a commitment of approximately €300,000 a year in community benefit funding, Moanvane will be well-positioned to deliver on many local energy and biodiversity measures, setting a new standard for wind farm development.

Engaging with, and getting feedback from, the local community has been vital for Moanvane’s success to date. After all, it was local people’s knowledge of their own community’s needs that led to the inclusion of an amenity trail that will offer new opportunities for biodiversity, and allow residents to enjoy activities such as walking, bird watching, nature and wildlife exploration.

“This people-first approach has ensured that the community living closest to the project will benefit the most, while Moanvane also will also deliver climate action and energy security – helping to end our reliance on fossil fuels and creating and sustainable energy future.”

Below is Kevin O'Donovan the Managing Director of Statkraft Ireland who are constructing the windfarm

According to Monavane the windfarm will have an output in the region of 60MW, and will have the capacity to provide green energy to over 35,000 Irish Homes.

The maximum tip height is 169m.

All of the cabling is to be placed underground. Material for the construction of the roads and hardstanding areas will be sourced as locally as possible in order to minimise the number of traffic movements, the company states.

Offaly County Council is to receive rates payments of up to € 500,000 per annum.

There are also plans for an inclusive community benefits package which is based on feedback from those in the local area. ''This will allow a wide range of individuals and organisations to benefit from the proposed wind farm and include an amenity walkway and cycle track,'' say Monavane.

A multi-million euro fund is also to be made available for local community groups and projects.

The awards gala ceremony will take place on September 28 2023 in Clontarf Castle Hotel.Other counties and projects include those in Clare, Tipperary, Kildare, Limerick, Meath, South Dublin, Fingal, Dublin City, Donegal, Laois, Cork, Galway, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Louth.