An Bord Pleanála has approved the development of 61 wind turbines on a 5,000ha site near Bellacorick, Co Mayo, one of the biggest windfarms in the country.

Reduced from the original proposal of 112 wind turbines, the development by Oweninny Power Limited is a joint venture between the ESB and Bord na Móna.

Once built, the windfarm will have a maximum electricity generating capacity of 172 megawatts. It is hoped to be fully operational by 2020.

All the site lands are owned by Bord na Móna and comprise cutaway and cutover bog land.

Solar

Separately, Irish solar energy company Elgin Energy Services Ltd has applied for planning permission to erect a 4.2MVA solar farm comprising photovoltaic panels on mounted frames on 12.5ha of agricultural land in Derrymore, Mountrath, Co Laois. If successful, the solar farm will supply electricity to Ireland’s national grid for a total of 30 years.

Planning permission is also being sought for four single-storey inverter/transformer stations, a single-storey terminal station, a single-storey electrical switchroom, security fencing, CCTV and all associated ancillary works. According to the developer, the solar farm will supply enough energy for approximately 1,000 homes.