Another seven wind turbines planned for north Offaly

A seven-turbine wind farm is being planned between Rhode and Edenderry.

Consent is being sought from An Coimisiun Pleanala for the power generation facility by Ballinla Wind Farm Ltd, a company controlled by wind energy giant Statkraft, which built the Moanvane Wind Farm near Walsh Island.

If the proposal gets the go-ahead from the planning commission (formerly known as An Bord Pleanala) the turbines will be spread across the north Offaly townlands of Leitrim, Ballyfore Big, Ballyleakin and Ballinla.

The tip height of the blades will be 185 metres and the wind farm will be capable of generating up to 50 megawatts of electricity.

According to Statkraft, the nearest residence to a turbine will be 740 metres but one residential property is within that area by agreement.

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Originally the company was considering 12 turbines but that was later reduced to 10 before the final plan for seven.

Statkraft said the redesign of the project increased the setback of the nearest turbine to the Grand Canal from 123 metres to 506 metres.

Some of the land for the wind farm is owned by Coillte.

Statkraft said there will be no shadow flicker from the turbines.

An environmental impact assessment report and a nature impact statement have both been prepared and will be available for inspection along with the planning application at An Coimisiun Pleanala and Offaly County Council from September 5 next.

While the County Council can make a submission on the application, the decision rests with An Coimisiun Pleanala because the project has been deemed a strategic infrastructure development.

An 8km grid connection is proposed to the Philipstown substation through the townlands of Leitrim, Lumville, Ballinla, Clarkeville, Ballyfore Big, Ballyfore Little, Ballyleakin and Ballykilleen.

Statkraft said the community benefit fund arising from the wind farm could be worth about €245,000 each year, or up to €3.7 million over a 15-year period.

The estimated value of the commercial rates which would be paid to Offaly County Council is over €825,000 a year.

Statkraft wrote to local residents in July thanking them for their “valuable feedback”.

“Your contributions have played an essential role in shaping the Ballinla Wind Farm proposal to better reflect the interests of the community,” the letter said.

The turbines will be in two clusters, with three in one cluster south of the Grand Canal and four in the other cluster, south of the L5010 local road.