Last year the Government launched the Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP21), an ambitious plan to put Ireland on a more sustainable path, cutting emissions, creating a cleaner, greener economy and society, and protecting us from the devastating consequences of climate change.
The CAP21 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050 and an emissions reduction of 51% by 2030.
Among the most critical measures in the plan, is to increase the proportion of renewable electricity up to 80% by 2030. This will include nearly doubling the installed capacity of onshore wind in Ireland from over 4,000MW to 8,000MW. The development of new onshore wind farms are therefore crucial as we move away from our reliance on fossil fuels and towards the electrification of transport, heat and other areas.
While offshore wind will play a part in these 2030 targets (rising from 25MW in 2021 to 5,000MW in 2030), onshore wind is still fundamental to the decarbonisation of the electricity market in Ireland.
The proposed wind farm in an overview
The proposed Castlegarden Wind Farm will help Ireland meet its Climate Action Plan 2021 target. The proposed development will generate renewable energy helping to displace thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. It will lead to cheaper electricity, energy security and help Ireland meet its challenging climate change and decarbonisation targets.
The proposed development will have a number of enduring economic benefits for the local economy in Co. Kilkenny. Delivery of the Castlegarden Wind Farm project represents a total capital investment of around €30 million by RWE. It will also lead to tangible benefits to the local community such as employment opportunities during the construction and operation phases, payments into a Community Benefit Fund and indirect benefits to the wider community from annual operational business rates generated from the wind farm and paid to Kilkenny County Council.
The proposed wind farm is located approximately 3.5km southeast of Dungarvan and approximately 6km northeast of Thomastown. The study area comprises lands at Castlegarden and Raheenroche and measures approximately 211 hectares.
The proposed wind farm area under consideration consists of agricultural land and forestry. These land uses could continue with a wind farm development at the site.
The proposal includes the potential for a proposed access road through Coillte property in the townland of Cloghscregg. If you have any Coillte related queries about the proposal, please contact [email protected].
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Read more about the proposed wind farm
