Plans unveiled for another wind farm in Offaly
Ten-turbine project near Rhode proposed by company building Moanvane Wind Farm
THE company building the Moanvane wind farm near Walsh Island is considering the development of another one near Rhode.
Statkraft is currently working on a wind farm of up to 12 turbines at Moanvane and the new project under consideration, to be known as Ballinla Wind Farm, would have 10 turbines.
If consent is given by An Bord Pleanala, the turbines, which will rise to a tip height of 185 metres, will be laid out in two clusters in the townlands of Ballinla, Ballybrittan and Leitrim.
Six of them will be close to the Grand Canal, just west of Trimblestown bridge, and four more will be further south between two tracts of bogland.
Statkraft say the wind farm will be capable of generating 55MW of electricity and will contribute about €825,000 a year in annual rates payments to Offaly County Council.
There will also be a community benefit fund worth about €4 million, depending on the final design, plus direct benefit to homes within one kilometre. A walking trail is proposed.
Statkraft say about 72 jobs will be created during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of the proposed project.
An application for an opinion on the plan from An Bord Pleanala was lodged on May 2 last.