Quarry Tree Wind Farm Project

FuturEnergy Ireland is also developing a wind farm on the same ridge in parallel with Quarry Tree Wind Farm. This adjacent project is known as Brackley Wind Farm located approximately 5km north-west of Ballyconnell and 3.5km south-east of Swanlinbar in Co. Cavan. FuturEnergy Ireland is a joint venture company owned on a 50:50 basis by Coillte and ESB, launched in November 2021. The company’s ambition is to develop more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, making a significant contribution to Ireland’s commitment to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade. Both companies share similar goals in supporting a resilient, low-carbon electricity system in Ireland. In recognition of the fact that our projects are adjacent and are progressing on similar development timelines, we have agreed to work closely together and to support each other in the completion of surveys and technical studies where appropriate. To help ensure a coordinated and consistent approach, the same planning consultant is preparing the separate planning consent applications for both Quarry Tree Wind Farm and Brackley Wind Farm. While each project will be assessed on its own merits, this collaborative approach will support good coordination of technical assessments and community engagement. This respectful cooperation will help ensure that the design of both projects is considered in a complementary manner, and that we communicate with the public in a clear and coordinated way, so the local community is kept informed and up to date with progress.

Shadow flicker is the name given to a phenomenon caused when the sun is behind the turbine blades, as it rises or sets, casting a moving shadow over a small opening in a building, such as a window, creating a flickering effect within the building. This can only affect properties within a few hundred metres of the turbines. A shadow flicker assessment forms part of every planning application we submit. Current guidelines stipulate that shadow flicker must not exceed 30 hours per year, or 30 minutes a day. That’s why we design turbine layout to avoid this phenomenon. Where it could occur, we install solar sensors on the top of the turbine, which will slow or shut down the turbine for a period of time, therefore mitigating the effect. Thanks to technology and accurate calculations, which can pin point the time when shadow flicker could occur, turbines are shut down automatically to prevent shadow flicker.

The noise emitted from wind turbines has been reduced significantly over the last decade. Modern design has drastically reduced the noise of mechanical components, so that the most audible sound is that of the wind interacting with the rotor blades. Even in quiet rural areas, the sound of the blowing wind is often louder than the turbines. As part of an Environmental Impact Assessment, we must demonstrate during the planning process that noise levels will not adversely affect local residents. Noise levels are monitored before and after construction, and turbines are shut down if they exceed permitted limits.

Infrasound, or Low Frequency Noise (LFN) are sound waves with frequencies below the lower limit of human hearing. These noises are generated naturally within the atmosphere which surrounds us. They can also be generated by a wide range of human-created sources, such as factories, cars, air conditioning, or wind farms. Studies have confirmed that LFN and Infrasound levels produced by wind farms are below accepted thresholds. There is currently no scientific data to suggest that the levels of LFN or Infrasound emitted by wind turbines make humans ill. Under EU law, we must carry out a comprehensive EIA and that includes expert assessments of the potential impact on local residents – including noise, amplitude modulation and infrasound.

We will be carrying out a comprehensive EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) as part of the planning process, consulting all relevant statutory and environmental bodies to ensure that any potential impacts on wildlife are fully mitigated. For example, where a proposed wind farm location is found to be in the flight routes of birds, and bats, adequate turbine buffer distances would be incorporated into planning and design to ensure that turbine blades are not in close proximity to these flight routes. We have third party environmental consultants and ecologist working on our sites for many years, monitoring wildlife, flight paths and risk collision before submitting a planning application. As for livestock, wind turbines do not have any noticeable impact. Cattle, horses and sheep graze around the wind turbines undisturbed.

In accordance with planning regulations and Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) best practice, we will be holding a series of public information events that will be advertised. There will be a dedicated project website that will be updated on an ongoing basis. Members of the consultation team will call door-to-door within a 1-2km radius of the proposed development on three occasions before a planning application will be submitted so that local people can ask questions and raise any concerns. The project and consultation team will also hold 3 public clinics before a planning application is submitted ensuring the public are kept updated from early design through to final design. The consultation, development, planning and construction phases can take up to five years.

A wind farm will deliver significant local benefits, including up to 100 construction jobs, permanent operation and maintenance roles, and a substantial community benefit fund to support local projects. It will also boost local government revenues subtantially in the form of counil rates. Nationally, the project contributes to Ireland’s climate action goals, supporting renewable energy targets set in the Climate Action Plan.

No, but the project will include an annual ‘near neighbour’ payment for homes within a 2km radius of each turbine as part of the project community benefit fund. What will the visual impact be? Assessing visual impact is part of the planning process. We will provide photomontages to represent the visual impact and we will discuss these with the local community at the consultation clinics, when the layout is designed. Photomontages will also be included in the planning application.

No, the wind farm and grid cables will be installed underground.