Project Updates

Ballycar Green Energy has submitted the relevant documentation to address An Bord Pleanala’s request for further information. This is viewable on our dedicated planning website: www.ballycargreenenergyplanning.ie. We would like to thank you for your interest in the proposed Ballycar Green Energy project in 2024 and look forward to sharing updates with you in 2025.

The Ballycar Green Energy wind farm planning application has now been submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

The application is now available to view on its dedicated website: www.ballycargreenenergyplanning.ie

A printed version is viewable via the Clare County Council Offices.

The An Bord Pleanála Case reference is  PA03.318943 and link to view is here https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/case/318943 

We have added a new section to our site containing downloadable project materials and links to external resources with helpful information on climate change, renewable energy and Ireland’s targets.

Please click here to visit. 

We are aware of news items circulating in relation to suspected archaeological features within proximity to the site.

The proposed project is on lands to the east of Woodcock Hill, with no development on Woodcock Hill. Archaeology monuments are present within the wider study area of the development, however, none of these shall be removed or disturbed, with appropriate setback distances in place between monuments and proposed infrastructure.

A full archaeological assessment has been carried out, with test trenches undertaken (under licence) in the vicinity of monuments, with no evidence of previously unknown features discovered.

All information associated with these assessments will be contained within the planning application.

We welcome the continued engagement of residents in the consultation process.       

We would like to thank the residents of Ballycar who joined us at our Windfarm visit in Tullybrack on October 8th.

During the visit the attendees were afforded time with the Ballycar Green Energy team to discuss the project in detail and toured an operational wind turbine site, similar to the size of the site proposed for the Ballycar community.

Community Liaison Officer, Dr. Susan Byrne had the following to say about the event:

“We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and conversing with members of the Ballycar community on Saturday. We were excited to share insights on the proposed project and guide them through the operational windfarm.

We engaged in detailed discussions and have since received feedback and suggestions from those who attended which we will review and implement where possible as we continue to progress on the project”

We look forward to continuing to discuss the project with the community of Ballycar. The team can be contacted via email (info@ballycargreenenergy.ie) or phone on (061 975 200) where one-to-one consultations can also be arranged. Any progress on the project will continue to be featured on this website.

We would like to thank all residents and interested groups who took the time to speak to us recently regarding our plans for the Ballycar Green Energy project between February/March 2022.

We are grateful for the feedback shared. We are now in the process of taking this feedback into consideration for the further development of the project.

Over the coming weeks we will be engaging with all those who provided comments and requested updates. In the meantime, however, we have provided answers to some of the most common questions we received on the doorstep, including those on turbine height and site size.

Once we have analysed the feedback and as part of our commitment to meaningful engagement, we will hold an exhibition over the summer of 2022 ahead of submitting a planning application later this year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to assure you that any information produced and circulated by us within the community – whether in print or via social media – will be issued directly from representatives of Ballycar Green Energy and bear the Ballycar Green Energy logo. Following our engagement in recent weeks, we are aware of some additional information circulating around particular elements of our proposed development such as the estimated size and location of the turbines on the site – plans for which have not yet been finalised. This website will be regularly updated with official information as we progress to help keep you informed.

The team at Ballycar Green Energy are delighted to have started their pre-planning consultation on a potential wind energy development north of Meelick in East Clare, this project would form a key part of the Government’s plan to enhance clean electricity generation and reduce CO2 emissions in Ireland.

Our Engagement to Date:

As part of our initial engagement with the surrounding community, we have so far:

• Distributed leaflets to residents in the local community area with key information
• Had direct engagement with political representatives and local community groups to introduce the project and the team.
• Had direct conversations with residents who requested a face-to-face meeting in the area and continue to be available for home visits for those interested in talking to us about the project, in line with COVID-19 guidelines
• Engaged with media to highlight the beginning of the consultation and raise awareness of the project

We would like to thank everyone who engaged with us to date and we look forward to continuing to engage with people and businesses in the local community over the coming weeks and months to inform them more about the project plans and take on board viewpoints as we begin to shape the proposed plans for the Ballycar Green Energy project.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Through our engagement, we have had a number of frequently asked questions arising in relation to Onshore Wind Energy and the project. To provide further clarity, we have updated our key questions to make this information available to everyone.

The most common questions related to Noise, Shadow Flicker and the location of the turbines.

The information we provided in response to these queries are detailed below.

Is there noise from the wind turbines?

The evolution of wind farm technology over the past decade has greatly reduced noise from wind turbines, with the main sound being the aerodynamic swoosh of the blades passing the tower. There are strict guidelines in the planning regulations on wind turbines noise emissions to ensure the protection of residential amenity. A comprehensive noise monitoring regime will be undertaken to ensure the proposed development complies with regulations.

As part of the planning process, Ballycar Green Energy will ensure the project is constructed and operated to minimise noise. We will conduct extensive tests during the planning process to demonstrate that the proposed turbines will not exceed legislated noise levels. During the site optimisation process the wind turbine layout will be designed so that noise levels at nearby residential properties are not in breach of national planning guidelines. The World Health Organisation has published its Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region in which recommendations are made for wind turbine noise. The recommended level of noise produced should be below 45 dB. The current guidelines in Ireland and the UK, which are in line with international best practice, are set at between 35 and 45-dB dependant on the time of day and background noise.

(Source: World Health Organisation  https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/noise/environmental-noise-guidelines-for-the-european-region

iac acoustics:  https://www.iacacoustics.com/blog-full/comparative-examples-of-noise-levels.html )

What is Shadow Flicker and how is it dealt with?

Shadow flicker refers to when the blades of a wind turbine pass between the sun and the observer, planning guidelines require that any effects of shadow flicker be mitigated by installing solar sensors on the turbine which automatically shut down the turbine during times of possible shadow flicker.

Location

We have updated the Project Information page to include maps outlining the proposed location of the project study area which can be found here.

Get In Touch:

As a local Irish firm, we believe in working in partnership with the community to deliver wind energy projects that are socially responsible, with substantial benefits to the community and where community participation plays a central role in how the development progresses. We will therefore continue and widen our consultation process in the New Year with further opportunities for stakeholders to engage with us and to stay up to date with project developments.

If you would like to meet with the team to discuss the project, we would be happy to schedule a home visit or phone call, in line with COVID-19 Government health advice.

Call us on either 061 975 200 or 086 852 5000 or drop us an email to info@ballycargreenenergy.ie.

For now, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe New Year,