Construction to start in January on large windfarm in Offaly

Construction of a new windfarm in Offaly is starting in January.

Statkraft Ireland has confirmed that construction will begin at Cushaling Wind Farm in counties Offaly and Kildare in January 2023.

The company says that the nine turbines will deliver 55.8MW of urgently needed clean renewable energy to the grid, and will cost €95 million to build.

The local community will be paid community benefits totalling €300,000 over the next 15 years.

The Norway headquartered company is Europe's largest producer of renewable energy.

The Cushaling Wind Farm will mark the first use in the Irish market of the Vestas V162-6.2 MW EnVentus turbines. With a tip height of 185m they will be the largest yet on any wind farm in Ireland, to gather maximum wind.

Statkraft says it will fund and manage the construction of the wind farm and will operate it when it is complete.

Local community commitments include a 3km amenity trail, with opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, developed as part of the project.

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Kevin O’Donovan is Managing Director of Statkraft Ireland.

“The twin crises of energy and climate are having an impact both in Ireland and around the world. However, ambitious Statkraft projects like Cushaling Wind Farm mean the delivery of affordable, clean energy to the grid while simultaneously reducing Ireland’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. Every additional wind energy project means a reduction in the amount of coal and gas that we need to generate electricity and reduces the cost of electricity for all consumers.

“We are delighted too that the installation of the V162 turbine in Cushaling Wind Farm will be a first of its kind for the island of Ireland.”

Donal O’Sullivan is Head of Development with Statkraft Ireland.

“Since the start of this process, we have sought feedback from the community to ensure that residents were happy with the layout of this project which has allowed for the very latest turbine technology through the planning process.

“We look forward to building on this positive engagement locally as the project progresses and helps Ireland decarbonise its energy system. An annual Community Benefit Fund of €300,000 will be delivered over the next 15 years, which will support sustainable projects in the locality.”

The turbines will have a 35-year service contract. 

Cushaling was granted planning permission in 2020 and is expected to be operational in late 2024.

Statkraft entered the Irish market in 2018 and since then has almost tripled its workforce and tripled its development portfolio. It develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the technologies of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, battery storage and grid services.

It is also building the 12-turbine Moanvane Wind Farm on agricultural land between the villages of Geashill, Cloneygowan and Walsh Island in Offaly near the Laois border. That project was granted planning permission in 2018 and is expected to link up to the grid in 2024. Statkraft has another nine turbines under construction near Cloghan in Offaly.