SSE Renewables seeks public feedback on proposed Mayo wind farms

Members of the Mayo public are being encouraged to have their say on the proposed Sheskin South Wind Farm and Glenora Wind Farm as part of ongoing public consultations.

The proposed wind farms are being developed by leading renewable energy developers SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland, and together will be capable of generating more than 258MW of green energy.

The co-developers launched public consultations into each project late last year, and those consultations remain open ahead of an upcoming closing date on Friday, March 4.

SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland are proposing to invest up to €280 million in both Sheskin South and Glenora. Once operational, the projects will create around 16 full-time green jobs to support the day-to-day running of the wind farms. These jobs will be sustained over the operational life of the windfarms. The developers also expect any employment generated to be sourced locally from Co. Mayo and neighbouring counties.

As part of the Climate Action Plan, the government has introduced the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) to promote the generation of electricity from renewable sources by providing financial support to renewable electricity projects in Ireland. All projects supported by RESS must establish a community benefit fund to be used for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the local community.

If successful in the RESS process, the proposed community benefit fund for both wind farms could be up to €700,000 each per annum. All community funds will be administered in line with the terms and conditions under RESS, which give the local community responsibility in deciding how community benefit funding is spent in their area.

The proposed Sheskin South Wind Farm development site is located approximately 6.7 km northeast of Bangor Erris and 11km south of the Atlantic coast, and falls entirely within the townland of Sheskin. If it receives planning permission and is constructed as proposed, it will comprise up to 21 wind turbines. When completed, the onshore wind farm will generate up to 126MW of renewables electricity, have the potential to power almost 84,000 homes annually and offset over 90 million kilograms of harmful carbon emissions.

The location of the proposed Glenora Wind Farm is to the south of Maumakeogh Mountain, approximately 7km southwest of Ballycastle and 6km southeast of Belderrig. Should it be successful in the planning process, and be constructed as proposed, the project will comprise up to 22 wind turbines. The operational wind farm would generate up to 132MW, have the potential to power almost 88,000 homes annually while offsetting almost 95 million kg of carbon emissions.

The public consultations remain open online and details of the projects are being shared via www.glenorawindfarm.com and www.sheskinsouthwindfarm.com. This virtual approach offers a complete overview of each project, including a digital brochure, photomontages of the proposed developments, and a feedback form where comments and opinions can be submitted.

As part of the public consultation process, the SSE Renewables team and its dedicated community liaison officer will work with local communities and stakeholders to gather feedback and local information that will inform the project.

Maria Ryan, director of development for SSE Renewables, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this wealth of information about Sheskin South Wind Farm and Glenora Wind Farm with communities in Mayo. It is really important that local stakeholders get an opportunity to engage and share their views on the projects ahead of us submitting applications to An Bord Pleanála which will allow the projects to proceed.

“Our dedicated project website and self-guided online exhibitions will offer a variety of ways for people to learn more about the projects and to arrange meetings with the project team, and to provide feedback to us.”