Project Overview
In 2024, BnM and SSE Renewables, two leading low-carbon energy providers, announced their formation of a joint venture to develop a series of onshore wind energy projects. As part of this joint venture, it is proposed to develop a wind farm on Cornafulla Bog located in Co. Roscommon. The proposed wind farm will be known as Cornafulla Wind Farm.
The proposed development will contribute towards the goals set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2025 and will also offer new economic opportunities across the region. Working together, both companies will leverage their extensive expertise, resources, and presence across Ireland to generate positive outcomes for communities, local economies and climate change. The partnership will have strong commitments to community investment, delivering new public amenities where possible, and contributing to biodiversity net gain across all sites.
The draft layout comprises 7 turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of 200 metres. It has been developed using a constraints-led approach and informed by on-site surveys, constraints mapping and the public consultation carried out to date.
The draft layout is based on 200m tip height turbines. Turbines of up to 220m tip height may also be considered as part of the final design. Should 220m turbines be selected, they would be located further from nearby residential properties.
The turbine layout has been designed with a minimum setback distance of 800m, based on a turbine blade tip height of 200m, between turbines and the nearest residential property. Should the turbine blade tip height in the final layout design be 220m, a minimum setback distance of 880m between turbines and the
nearest residential property would be applied.
It is envisaged that a planning application will be lodged in late 2027 for the proposed development. For most large-scale projects, a key consideration is whether a development is Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) or not? Energy infrastructure which is considered SID includes: “An installation for the harnessing of wind power for energy production (a wind farm) with more than 25 turbines or having a total output greater than 50 megawatts”.
The Project Team will need to go through a preplanning consultation process with An Coimisiún Pleanála to determine with who the consenting authority will be. Irrespective of the Consenting Authority, it is our view that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be required as supporting documentation to the planning application. To learn more about the SID process please visit: www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/strategic-infrastructure-development
The electricity generated by the turbines will be transmitted directly onto Ireland’s National Grid which is managed by EirGrid for distribution around the country.