Over 100 construction jobs anticipated for west Offaly wind farm project

The developers of a proposed wind farm on the historic landscape of Lemanaghan Bog in West Offaly have anticipated the creation of up to 120 jobs during the construction phase of the controversial project.

Lemanaghan Wind Farm DAC confirmed today (Monday) that they have lodged a planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for the proposed 15-turbine Lemanaghan Wind Farm, which will be assessed as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).

The company behind the project is a 50:50 joint venture between co-development partners, BnM and SSE Renewables, who plan to construct 15 onshore wind turbines with a blade tip height of up to 220 metres, on an area of Lemanaghan Bog near the communities of Ballycumber, Ferbane and Pollagh. A new 220kV substation to connect the wind farm to the electricity grid is also proposed.

In a press statement issued today, the applicants said the infrastructural impact of the proposed development – which is being strongly opposed by the local community – is expected to cover “less than 5%” of the development site.” They also stated that the submitted plans have been designed following a “constraint led design approach” and engagement with the National Monuments Service in order to “avoid and minimise potential impacts on known archaeological, architectural and cultural sites.”

They also pointed out that, in advance of the lodging of a planning application, there was “an extended period of consultation” with residents and neighbouring communities since 2021. “Feedback from this process has helped inform the final proposed design of the wind farm” the press statement said.

Should Lemanaghan Wind Farm enter commercial operation, the developers behind the venture have stated their intention to establish a Community Benefit Fund during it's first year, with today's press statement estimating that this fund could be “in the region of circa €8 million” over the first 15 years of the project.

Brendan Kelly, Head of Commercial, BnM described Lemanaghan Wind Farm as “a key project” that will displace imported fossil fuel consumption and improve long-term energy affordability for customers” while Ghislain Demeuldre, Head of Onshore Projects Ireland at SSE Renewables, said the design of the proposed development has been “strongly guided by extensive engagement with the local community and detailed environmental assessments.”

A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) has been submitted as part of the planning application, and the developers have strongly urged members of the public to review the report and to share their views as part of the planning process.

In addition to accessing planning documents online, copies of the application and all supporting documents can also be viewed free of charge, or purchased during public opening hours, for a period of seven weeks from next Tuesday, April 7 to May 26 at the following office locations:

The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, Eircode: (D01 V902) from 9:15am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday)

The Offices of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore (Eircode: R35 F893) from 9:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Ferbane Library, Lower Main Street, Ferbane (Eircode: R42 WF59 from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday and Thursday; 6pm to 8pm, Thursday;10am to 1pm, Saturday, excluding Bank Holiday weekends.