What is being considered?

The permitted Coole Wind Farm consists of 13 turbines with a potential output in the region of 50 MW of renewable electricity. This would have the capacity to power over 36,500 homes with clean green renewable energy. The project will also incorporate a significant community benefit fund which assuming RESS (Renewable Energy Support Scheme) support, will form a multimillion–euro investment opportunity specifically for the local community. 

The area considered includes the townlands of Coole, Clonsura, Doon, Camagh, and Monktown.

Coole Wind Farm at a Glance:

• Electricity would be supplied to the Irish Electricity Grid System for use in Ireland
• It will comprise of up to 13 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 175m
• With an output in the region of 50MW, this could power over 36,500 Irish homes
• There will be No Shadow Flicker at any house in the area
• We have worked to maximise the setback distance to dwelling houses
• All cabling will be placed underground
• There will be an onsite substation
• A local borrow pit will be used to source material – No blasting or explosives will be used on this project
• Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, temporary site compound, underground electrical and communications cables between turbines and an underground cable to connect the proposed project to the existing Mullingar 110kV substation
• Rates payments of up to €300,000 per annum will be payable to Westmeath County Council
• An inclusive Community Benefit package is being developed which will allow a wide range of individuals and organisations benefit from the proposed wind farm including an option for community investment & ownership

Local Electricity Generation

Locally generated electricity has brought many benefits to many areas in rural Ireland for many years. Many jobs were brought to these areas through the harvesting of peat and there has been a significant economic gain from the production of electricity. Electricity generation in Ireland is transitioning and the energy that we are using is switching from fossil fuels including peat and coal to renewable forms of energy. This transition is our best way of taking effective action on climate change. 

The potential to extract local economic and societal gain remains with the development of renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Areas that develop renewable energy projects will have the potential to benefit from substantial community benefit funds which will often equate to multi-million-euro investments in local rural areas. At Statkraft, we believe that local communities should play a major role in determining how these funds should be used to maximise the benefit in the local area. 

Locally generated electricity can continue to support locally-based employment and locally-based community groups!

The communities in the area around the Coole Wind Farm have an opportunity to consider how this proposal can make a real difference to the local area.

We would like you to tell us how you feel the local area could benefit from this proposal

The Coole Wind Farm has the potential to assist in delivering initiatives to that ensure that locally generated electricity will support the local communities. This proposal has the potential to provide the youth in the area with a better future and to extract local gain that can provide benefit for all.